Tough talks await when the autumn's rent negotiations between the Tenants Association and the Real Estate Owners Association, the industry organization that brings together Sweden's private landlords, begin.

To cover increased costs and high interest rates, the Real Estate Owners in western and central Sweden want to see an increase of as much as 10 percent, compared to 2021's average of 1.4 percent.

Then account has been taken of the pricing model agreed upon by the parties, says Rickard Ljunggren, CEO of the regional association Fastighetsägarna GFR.

- If we only look at the current year, it might actually mean that you would need a rent increase of 20 to 25 percent just to cover the current cost increases, he says in Akutellt.

"Find on-number"

However, the Tenants' Association completely opposes the Property Owners' demands.

Already 10 percent, the head of the federation Erik Elmgren describes as a "hit-on figure" in the context.

- You cannot simply transfer this entire cost to the tenant.

It needs to happen in an orderly manner.

Now the Property Owners want five years of rent increases in one year.

It will mean that people cannot afford to stay, he says.

Elmgren believes that the Property Owners should take part of the cost blow, which the Property Owners believe they are already doing by not demanding even higher rents.

Many landlords are also unable to cover the costs, says Rickard Ljunggren.

- We are entering a situation where the margins have not been built up, they have been nibbled on for a long time.

For many property owners, these margins do not exist.

Can claim compensation from the state

However, the last word has not been said.

In the end, rent levels are decided in around 30,000 local negotiations around the country.

If it turns out that the Property Owners stand by their demand, the Tenants' Association will take further measures, according to the head of the association.

- If it happens that there is a ten percent rent requirement, we will go to the state and demand compensation for it.

We will never accept that.