Leasing residential housing
Leases specify the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords. Without a lease, the legal rights of both sides are precarious.
The landlord and tenant are free to negotiate the rent amount, but according to the law the amount must be fair and reasonable towards both parties.
All information on rights and obligations regarding rent can be found here Renting helpline.
Leases
Leases should be done in written form and signed by both the landlord and the tenant (or their agent).
It is recommended to make an electronic lease and register it in the Rent Register.
Leases can have an indefinite duration or a fixed duration. Different rules apply to the termination of a lease depending on whether its duration is indefinite or fixed.
End of lease
Good to keep in mind:
In case of the rental unit being available for leasing after the current lease ends, the tenant has right of priority for at least one year after the end of the lease (there are however exceptions).
The tenant may only remove fixed furnishings and the like, if he has paid for it himself.
The landlord may allocate the security deposit to the payment of unpaid rent.
Termination of a lease
Both parties may terminate a lease if it has indefinite duration. The period of notice varies depending on the type of housing and the lease duration. It is best to do this in writing and in a verifiable manner, for example by e-mail or registered letter.
Under normal circumstances, a lease with fixed duration cannot be terminated before its final date. See further information here Renting helpline.
Information on the rental market
Various information about the rental market can be found on the HMS web site. This includes monthly and annual reports on rental prices and rental market surveys.
Properties up for lease can be found on line with various rental agencies and in media advertisements.
Social housing
Some municipalities offer apartments for rent on the general market as well as Social housing. The allocation of social housing depends on family circumstances, social circumstances and income and assets which need to be within certain limits. Contact your local municipality for advice on social housing.
Housing benefits
Housing benefits are monthly payments intended to assist people who rent residential properties. To be eligible for housing benefits, a lease must be registered electronically in the HMS Rent Register.
Special housing support
The municipalities provide special housing support in addition to housing benefits, to those living in difficult financial or social circumstances.
To find out more about your rights to special housing benefits, you need to contact the municipality of your legally registered address.
Rental income
Rental income is taxable. If a lease is registered in the HMS Rent Register, Information regarding rental amounts are automatically entered into the parties´ annual tax statement form. If the landlord is an individual, the rental income is taxed as capital income, otherwise as general income. See further information here Tax office.
Disagreement
In the event of a disagreement between tenants and landlords during the making, execution or end of the lease, the matter can be referred to the House appeals committee, free of charge.
Lease on paper
Do you not have electronic ID? In that case you can find the form here:
Representative associations
Samples of the contracting parties’ notifications
Laws and regulations
See also
Housing benefits
Registration in the Rent Register
Social housing
Service provider
Housing & Construction Authority