- It has turned out that it is difficult to get a good home of 25 square meters. Here in Umeå, it has not hit very big. Those who build usually want to build a bit more rich, says the building committee's chairman Mikael Berglund (S).

On July 2, 2014, the rules for building up to 25 square meters of buildings were simplified on their site. For the so-called Attefallshusen no building permit is needed. However, the building must be reported to the municipal building committee.

Few in Västerbotten have built

Since 2014, storage rooms, garages and, for example, guesthouses have been built, so-called complementary buildings of the Attefall type. But very few in the county have applied to build complementary housing houses, that is, independent housing. In Umeå it is only about a handful. (see more in the fact box) .

Now the government wants to expand the permissible building area for complementary housing by five square meters. The legislative amendment is expected to come into effect from 1 March 2020.

- There are some challenges in accommodating all the parts you need in a 25 square meter home. That is why we have also proposed from the government that we should expand to 30 square meters, says Housing Minister Per Bolund (MP).

Can be a solution in the housing shortage

According to him, one could then get to better floor plans and get all the amenities needed for a functioning home. The hope is to get more housing on the market where there is a large housing shortage.

- Especially many young people find it difficult to get a home and if it is built more then it is clear that it will be a better functioning market, says Per Bolund (MP).

Umeå is a municipality that welcomes the proposal, even though the chairman of the building committee does not believe it is the solution to the housing shortage.

- We usually say that we need all types of housing. I don't think it will play a big role in the housing market in Umeå, but for some it might be very good, ”says Mikael Berglund (S).