How to Give Notice on a Swedish Lease?

Every year on Walpurgis Eve (April 30th), the notifications come in en masse on leases. Being last minute with your notification puts undue stress on many parties involved. Since, notification rules are based on the calendar principle and not the day principle, getting your notice on the right side of the calendar month is crucial.

Why does one day here or there matter so much in the grand scheme of things when giving notice?  

Per rental law, calendar month is the rule. This means, for example, that the landlord of a privately owned property has a 3-month calendar month notification period. So, if the notice is given on April 30th and gets confirmed by the tenant, then the lease ends on July 31st. However, if the notice is given and confirmed on May 1, then the last day of the lease is August 31st. On "hyresrätter", so called council flats, the landlord also has to remember to give notice 3 calendar months before the lease expires. Otherwise, the lease automatically renews on a 3-month mutual notification period for both parties. Lots to keep straight as the type of apartment you sublet determines notification periods.

When does one not need to give notice? 

On privately owned properties, no one needs to give notice and the lease is over when the lease period is up. The only time notice needs to be given is if the landlord or the tenant wishes to end the lease prior to the lease period's end.  

How shall a notice be given?

By e-mail or by recommended post.

If the e-mail recipient confirms the notification by e-mail reply, then nothing else needs to be done. This is sufficient. If the e-mail recipient has not confirmed the notification then a recommended letter needs to be sent. This letter should be sent to the tenant (if a company, the contact person on the lease or a Director. The notification should NOT be sent to the family living in the property if a corporate lease as they are not the legal tenant. Keep your receipt of the recommended letter and the date of the letter being sent (this is your proof of notification) is legally binding as the notification date. 

Do it in time.

It creates unnecessary stress to do it last minute. Start the process around the 15-20th of the month. This gives you time to get confirmation of your e-mail and to avoid running to the post office last minute and hysterically trying to figure out whom the correct recipient of such letter should be. Sometimes the contact person at the company when your sublet commenced has left the company and it can take some time to get directed to the correct new contact person handling the company's expatriates and subleases.