# Rental agreement Eskilstuna: content and what to check before signing

*Elsa Fredriksson*
*12 november 2026*

> What should be in a rental agreement, what the landlord may not demand, and the rules that apply when you rent an apartment in Eskilstuna.

The rental agreement is the most important document when you rent an apartment in Eskilstuna. It determines what you and the landlord have agreed on, and it is what you refer to if you end up in a dispute. This article goes through what should be in the rental agreement, what the landlord may not demand, and the rules that apply under the Swedish Land Code (Jordabalken) and the Swedish Union of Tenants (Hyresgästföreningen). The focus is on rental agreement Eskilstuna content, but the basic rules are the same no matter which municipality you rent in.

## What should be in the rental agreement
A written rental agreement should always include:
- Name and address of both you as the tenant and the landlord
- The address of the apartment and which part of it you rent (the whole apartment or a room)
- The rent and what it includes, for example whether electricity, heating or broadband is included
- When the rent should be paid, usually no later than the last banking day of the preceding month
- The rental period, either until further notice or time-limited, for example one year
- The notice period and how termination should be done, usually in writing
- Whether it is a rental apartment or a condominium sublet

Getting all of this in writing protects both you and the landlord. A verbal agreement can also be valid, but it is significantly harder to prove what you agreed on if you end up in a dispute.

## What the landlord may not demand
Under Swedish tenancy law, the landlord may not demand a deposit for a residential apartment. It is not allowed to demand money in advance as security for possible damage or unpaid rent. The same applies to so-called key money, i.e. a lump sum just to get the contract. Neither deposits nor key money are compatible with the Land Code, and such demands can be disputed through the Swedish Union of Tenants.

The landlord may not require you to pay several months' rent in advance as a condition for getting the apartment either. Rent is paid in arrears, for the coming month, and it is perfectly reasonable that you only pay the first rent upon moving in.

## Termination and rental period
If the rental agreement is time-limited, the agreed period applies, and the agreement ends when the time expires unless you extend it. If the agreement runs until further notice, both you as the tenant and the landlord can terminate it. Termination should usually be done in writing, and the notice period follows from the agreement or from the Land Code.

As a tenant, you usually have at least three months' notice until the turn of the month, unless the agreement says something else that is more favourable to you. The landlord's notice period to you is usually longer and depends on how long you have lived in the apartment.

If you rent a sublet, special rules apply. Subtenants often have shorter notice periods, and the person subletting usually needs permission from their own landlord or homeowners' association. Without permission, the subletting may be unlawful, which can lead to you being forced to move.

## Especially for students in Eskilstuna
Eskilstuna is a university town with Mälardalen University, and many students rent through the municipal housing queues Kfast (Eskilstuna Kommunfastigheter) or through student housing queues. Whether you rent a student apartment, a corridor room or an ordinary rental apartment, you should read the rental agreement carefully before signing.

Check in particular how long the notice period is, whether the rent can be raised during the contract period, and what happens if you interrupt your studies or have to move for another reason. As a student, you have the same protection under the tenancy act as all other tenants, and deposits or key money are not allowed for student housing either.

## Checklist before signing
Before signing the rental agreement in Eskilstuna, go through this list:
1. Are the names and addresses correct for both you and the landlord?
2. Does it state the rent and what it includes, for example electricity, heating and broadband?
3. Does it state the payment date and notice period?
4. Does the landlord demand a deposit or key money? They are not allowed to.
5. Is the agreement time-limited or until further notice?
6. Do you rent a condominium as a sublet? If so, is the permission in writing?
7. Have you received your own copy of the signed agreement?

If anything is unclear or if the landlord makes demands that do not seem reasonable, you can contact the Swedish Union of Tenants for advice before signing.

## Sources
- Land Code (1970:994), Chapter 12 on leases — https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/jordabalk-1970994_sfs-1970-994/
- Swedish Union of Tenants — https://www.hyresgastforeningen.se/
- Boverket on the housing market — https://www.boverket.se/sv/samhallsplanering/bostadsmarknad/