Concerns about stalled rent negotiations in Umeå: "Never had such demands"

The industry organizations for private landlords, municipal housing companies and the Tenants' Association have a new way of negotiating rents.

Rent increases must be established based on various parameters three years back in time.

But the Tenants' Association believes that the private landlords are basing their proposed increase without regard to the agreement.

- We believe that these are incorrect calculations, says Henrik From, negotiator at the Tenants' Association in Umeå.

Historic rent increase

For 75 percent of all 27,000 rental properties where the Tenants' Association manages the negotiation, an increase of 2.1 percent has been determined.

- There are very few times you have received so much, says Henrik From.

According to the Tenants' Association, there are many indications that the negotiations may run aground, because the parties are so far apart.

This may mean that the landlord contacts the tenant directly to request a new rent.

However, the tenants do not always have to accept these proposals.

The property owners want to continue negotiating

Lisa Hjelm, who is head of economic policy at Fastighetsägarna MittNord, says they want to continue negotiating.

- It is unfortunate that the Tenants' Association is going out and creating concern by saying that the negotiations can run aground.

None of us have flagged that we want to leave the negotiations, she tells SVT.

The longer the new rent takes, the bigger the blow will be for the tenants when they have to pay the rent increase afterwards.