Late Fees and Interest for Rent Arrears in Sweden
Rules regarding late rent payments in Sweden. Learn what landlords can charge for late fees, statutory reminder costs, and the Swedish Interest Act.
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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
In Sweden, landlords must adhere to strict consumer protection legislation regarding additional fees applied when a tenant is late paying rent. Governed primarily by the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken 1970:994), which took effect on 1 January 1971, the regulatory framework ensures that arbitrary penalties are unenforceable against residential tenants.
Statutory Reminder Fees - Max 60 SEK
The most common fee applied to late residential rent is the written reminder fee (påminnelseavgift). This is strictly regulated by the Compensation for Debt Collection Costs Act (SFS 1981:739):
- Lease Requirement: To legally charge a reminder fee, the right to do so must be explicitly written into a clause in the original signed lease agreement.
- Statutory Cap: Under Section 4 of the Act, a landlord may not charge more than 60 SEK for sending a written payment reminder.
- Escalation: If the debt is escalated to a formal debt collection agency (inkasso), the agency may apply a statutory collection demand fee of up to 180 SEK.
Penalty Interest - The Interest Act (SFS 1975:635)
When rent falls into arrears past the due date, a landlord is entitled to apply penalty interest (dröjsmålsränta). Unlike the reminder fee, the right to charge statutory interest applies automatically by law under Section 3 of the Interest Act, even if not specifically mentioned in the lease.
- Calculation (§ 6): The law stipulates that penalty interest is calculated based on the Swedish Central Bank's (Riksbanken) Reference Rate plus a surcharge of eight (8) percentage points (Reference Rate + 8%).
- Accrual: Interest typically begins to accrue 30 days after the due date unless the due date was fixed in advance (which it is for rent), in which case it accrues from the day after the due date.
When Does Eviction Become an Option?
A unique feature of Swedish tenancy law is the strict timeline for rent arrears. Missing a rent payment is considered a material breach of the lease under the Tenancy Act (Chapter 12 of Jordabalken).
According to Jordabalken 12:42, point 1, a landlord can initiate the eviction process (forfeiture of the lease) if the rent remains unpaid for more than one full week (7 days) past the due date.
However, even after forfeiture, a residential tenant has a "recovery period" (återvinningsrätt). Under Jordabalken 12:44, the tenant cannot be evicted if they pay the arrears within three weeks of being served a notice of termination and informed of their right to recover the lease by paying the debt. The landlord must also notify the local Social Welfare Board (Socialnämnden) for the recovery period to be valid.
Back to Sweden Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What are the late fee and penalty rules for rental properties in Sweden?
Sweden has specific rules regarding late fees and penalties for overdue rent. These may include mandatory grace periods, caps on late fee amounts, and restrictions on interest charges. Late fee provisions should be clearly stated in the lease agreement and must comply with local regulations to be enforceable.
▶What are the key landlord-tenant laws in Sweden?
Sweden has one of the world\'s most regulated rental markets, primarily governed by the Tenancy Act (Land Code Chapter 12). Recent reforms in 2026 have significantly tightened the rules regarding the secondary (subletting) market. This guide covers the essential compliance requirements for property owners and landlords.
Read the complete guide▶What is the legal eviction process for landlords in Sweden?
The eviction process in Sweden requires landlords to follow formal legal procedures. Valid grounds typically include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or the landlord's personal use of the property. Landlords must provide proper written notice, allow any required cure periods, and may need to obtain a court or tribunal order. Self-help evictions are generally prohibited.
Read the complete guide▶What are the rent increase limits and caps in Sweden?
Sweden has specific rules governing when and how landlords can increase rent. These rules may include caps on the percentage of increase, minimum notice periods, and restrictions on frequency. Landlords must comply with all applicable regulations when raising rent on existing tenancies.
Read the complete guide▶What are the security deposit rules and return deadlines in Sweden?
Sweden has rules governing how much landlords can charge as a security deposit, how deposits must be held or protected, and the timeline for returning deposits after a tenancy ends. Landlords must provide itemized statements of any deductions and comply with all statutory deadlines to avoid penalties.
Read the complete guide▶What are the mandatory lease requirements in Sweden?
Lease agreements in Sweden must comply with applicable national and local laws. Required elements typically include the names of both parties, property description, rent amount and payment terms, deposit details, lease duration, and maintenance responsibility allocation. Written leases may be required for certain tenancy types or durations.
Read the complete guide▶What are the landlord maintenance and repair obligations in Sweden?
Landlords in Sweden are generally required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, keeping the structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and essential services in proper working order. The specific allocation of maintenance responsibilities between landlord and tenant should be clearly documented in the lease agreement.
Read the complete guide▶What property disclosures are landlords required to make in Sweden?
Landlords in Sweden must disclose relevant information about the property to prospective tenants before the lease is signed. Required disclosures typically include known material defects, environmental hazards, previous damage history, and any conditions that could affect the tenant's use and enjoyment of the property.
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