Mother and son evicted after apartment swap in Gothenburg
A Gothenburg mother and son face eviction after swapping rental apartments without landlord approval. Swedish housing authorities consider the arrangement illegal subletting. Both must vacate their homes by year's end despite the city's severe housing shortage.
A mother and her adult son face eviction from their rental apartments in Gothenburg. Their landlords claim they illegally swapped homes without permission. Both must leave their apartments by the new year.
Public housing companies Bostadsbolaget and Poseidon issued the eviction notices. They say the family members exchanged apartments without authorization. Letting someone else use your rental counts as illegal subletting under Swedish law.
The son was registered at his mother's address. He also had electricity and broadband contracts in his name there. The mother had similar agreements for her son's studio apartment.
Housing inspectors visited the mother's apartment for a routine check. The son answered the door. He confirmed he lived at that address during the inspection.
Before the rental tribunal, the family denied doing more than sharing keys. Swedish rental regulations strictly control who can occupy subsidized housing. This case shows how seriously authorities treat unauthorized occupancy.
Gothenburg faces a severe housing shortage like many Swedish cities. Waiting lists for rental apartments often stretch for years. The city's population growth continues to outpace new construction.
Why would a family risk their housing in such a tight market? They may have sought better living arrangements without going through official channels. The consequences now leave both without homes.