"It's not fun, of course, but we want the association to have an economy that is sustainable in the long run and not just tomorrow," says Magnus Lindelöf, chairman of the Gullvivan housing association in Uppsala.
Cowslips are not unique to the raise. The housing company HSB manages an association in Uppsala that is increasing its fee by 30 percent. In Enköping, two associations are raising their prices by 30 and 34 percent, respectively.
Major differences
But the increases differ considerably. At an association in Luthagen, the fee is increased by 5 percent. In Gränby, an association raised its fees by 10 per cent in June, and by a further 10 per cent in December.
According to the property management company Nabu, which has analysed 2,200 housing associations in the country, the average fee increase among these is just over 11 percent.
For a person who lives in an apartment of 40 square metres with a fee of SEK 2,500 per month, a fee increase of 10 per cent means that the person instead pays SEK 2,750 per month.
"Double chairs"
Gullvivan's chairman Magnus Lindelöf says that the decision to increase the fee was difficult to make.
"I'm kind of sitting on two chairs. I sit on the board and decide on cost increases where I want the housing association to have a healthy economy. At the same time, I decide on costs that affect myself quite significantly, and also my neighbours and friends," says Magnus Lindelöf.
For BRF Gullvivan, the interest costs account for about half of the budget.
"In previous years, it has been maybe a quarter of our budget. Interest expenses are what stand out the most," says Chairman Magnus Lindelöf.