In February last year, SVT Nyheter Uppsala could reveal that Uppsala municipality was one of 130 municipalities in Sweden that went against the law by denying financial assistance to those who live undeclared – rules that, according to a fresh, guiding ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court believes violates the Social Services Act.
At the same time as the municipality denied people who live in black – which is not illegal – financial support, SVT could also reveal that the municipal housing company Uppsalahem does not report to the police the people who actually violate the law: the black landlords.
The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning called the whole thing "incomprehensible".
"When future historians write the history of our time, they won't understand these inconsistencies," said Micael Nilsson at the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning.
First police report made
Since it became illegal in October 2019 to rent out one's tenancy without permission and set the fee at more than 15 percent higher than the basic rent, Uppsalahem has torn up the contract for over 200 suspected black landlords – but it is only now that they have reported it to the police – for the first time.
"We are well on our feet, the matter has also been brought before the rent committee," says Benny Enholm, head of administration at Uppsalahem.
Why did it take more than three years and over 200 black landlords until you let the police investigate suspected crimes?
"It is very rare that we find out that the subtenant has paid, now we know.
In the clip above: Uppsalahem reports its first black landlord to the police after SVT's revelation