It is Minister of Justice Morgan Johansson (S) who, together with Emma Hult (MP), Robert Hannah (L) and Ola Johansson (C) on Dagens Nyheter's debate page, presents joint plans on how free renting should speed up the buildings and remedy the housing shortage that visits large parts of Sweden.
In accordance with the January agreement, four points have been agreed upon which the investigation will be based on:
- Free rental is introduced in new production - at least initially
- Safeguarding the individual tenant's interests - shall include protection against unreasonable rent increases
- Contribute to a well-functioning rental market in the long term - so that more apartments become vacant
- Provide transparency and consumer power regarding rent levels - so you know what others are paying
Free rental rates, also called market rents, mean that apartments in popular areas with high demand will be more expensive to rent compared to less attractive apartments. The idea of allowing this has long been a red carpet for many Social Democrats, and the Left Party is strongly opposed to the change.
The investigative proposals must be presented no later than 31 May 2021, so that a bill can be adopted by the Riksdag and the law comes into force in the election year 2022.