Terminate your rental contract in Södertälje – step by step

Terminating a rental contract is a major step, and it is easy to miss a detail that unnecessarily extends your rental period. If you rent an apartment in Södertälje, the same basic rules apply as in the rest of Sweden, but there are local actors such as Telge Bostäder that you should be aware of. Here we go through exactly what you need to do, in what order, and with which time limits.

Notice period rules

If you have a rental agreement for an indefinite period (open-ended) for a residential apartment, you can terminate it with three months' notice, unless you have agreed on a longer period. The termination takes effect at the month shift closest to three months after the day you terminated the agreement.

This is stated in the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken), Chapter 12, Section 4. The rules apply regardless of whether you rent from a municipal housing company such as Telge Bostäder, a private landlord, or a housing association as a subtenant.

Examples of how it can look in practice:

You terminate the contract on January 10. Three months later it is April 10, and the nearest month shift after that is April 30. Your rental agreement then terminates, and you pay rent through April.
You terminate the contract on January 28. Three months later it is April 28, and the nearest month shift is April 30. The agreement terminates on April 30.

If you have a fixed-term rental agreement that runs for at least nine months, the same three months' notice applies as for an agreement that runs until further notice. If the agreement runs for a shorter period than nine months, you as a tenant cannot terminate it early.

According to Chapter 12, Section 4 of the Land Code, you as a tenant always have the right to terminate the agreement so that it ends at a month shift occurring at the earliest three months after the termination. Your landlord cannot deny you that right.

How to terminate the contract – step by step

Step 1: Check your contract

Read through your rental agreement before writing the termination. Check in particular:

Whether the agreement is fixed-term or open-ended
What notice period is stated in the contract (it may be longer than three months, but never shorter than the law requires)
Whether there are special conditions for termination

Step 2: Write a written termination

According to Chapter 12, Section 8 of the Land Code, a termination must be in writing, unless the landlord has confirmed in writing that they have received it. A verbal notice is not sufficient.

Your termination should contain:

Your name and contact details
The address of the apartment you are terminating
The date of termination
A clear statement that you are terminating the rental agreement
Your signature

Send the termination by registered mail to your landlord. That way you have proof that it was sent and when it was submitted for post. The termination is considered to have occurred on the day the letter was submitted for post to your landlord's usual address.

Keep a copy of the the termination and the postal receipt. You may need them later if a dispute arises about when the rental period ends.

Step 3: Book a move-out inspection

After you have terminated the contract, book a move-out inspection with your landlord. The inspection is usually done when you return the keys.

During the inspection, you and the landlord go through the condition of the apartment together. Any damage or abnormal wear and tear is documented. It is important that you are present, as the inspection determines whether you will be refunded your deposit or whether you may be charged for damage.

If you rent from Telge Bostäder in Södertälje, you book the inspection via their customer service or My Pages at telgebostader.se.

Step 4: Clean and restore the apartment

Before the move-out inspection, the apartment must be cleaned to the condition required by the agreement. All your belongings must be removed, and any changes you have made to the apartment must be restored if the agreement requires it.

Remember to:

Empty all cabinets, drawers and storage areas
Vacuum and wipe all surfaces
Clean the kitchen, bathroom and toilet thoroughly
Return all keys, remote controls and access cards

Step 5: Return the keys and get your deposit back

When the inspection is done and the keys have been returned, the rental agreement is terminated. Your deposit, if you have paid one, must be refunded within a reasonable time after the agreement has ended, provided there are no damages or unpaid rent.

If the landlord makes deductions from the deposit for damage, they must be able to show what the deductions are for. You are entitled to a specified list of any costs.

Södertälje-specific: Telge Bostäder and private landlords

In Södertälje, Telge Bostäder is the largest municipal landlord. If you rent from them, you can handle much of the termination and move-out inspection via My Pages on their website. You can also contact their customer service directly if you have questions about your specific contract.

For private landlords in Södertälje, the same legal rules apply, but the procedure for termination and inspection may vary slightly depending on which landlord you have. Ask your landlord directly what process applies to your specific contract.

Frequently asked questions about termination

Can my landlord refuse my termination? No, if you rent a residential apartment with termination under the Land Code, you always have the right to terminate the agreement with three months' notice. Your landlord cannot refuse.

What happens if I forget to terminate in writing? A verbal termination is not valid under the law. Always make sure the termination is in writing and sent by registered mail.

Can I terminate the contract immediately if I need to move soon? No, the notice period is at least three months for residential apartments unless you have agreed otherwise. You cannot terminate and move out next week without still paying rent during the notice period.

Do the same rules apply to subletting? If you rent as a subtenant, different rules may apply depending on whether the subletting is approved and how long you have rented. Check your sublease contract carefully.

Sources

Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken 1970:994), Chapter 12, Sections 4–8, via Riksdagen
Hyresgästföreningen – information on termination and tenancy law
Boverket – housing market and tenancy law
Wikipedia – tenancy

More guides on renting in Södertälje are available at lagenhetsodertalje.se.

Terminate your rental contract in Södertälje – step by step