A comparison of rent regulations in Finland Denmark and Sweden in a tenancy law perspective
The Nordic Group – part 1 Late industrialisation (Denmark first) Rented housing part of ordinary civil law – no special rules (1900). Sweden – first regulation 1905 (market liberal) and first rent control (1917) Denmark first rent control in 1916 – also the first regulation Finland – rent control during both wars – with tenancy protection.
Current situation - rented housing Sweden one price regulation applying to all professional landlord. Denmark 4 different price regulation systems – one is market pricing Finland – rent control as a result of accepting state subsidies (Arava) otherwise free pricing
Rent regulation disappears after the WW1 Sweden in 1923 Denmark – liberalised mid 20-ties Finland Reintroduced second world war Sweden 1942 Denmark 1939 – free rents for houses constructed after 1991 (10%) Finland 1940 – Revoked regionally and free since 1961 Came back 1968 and revoked Sweden reform in 2011 – no commercial segment with free rents
Superficial analysis Rent regulation looking at the law Tenancy Prot - Liberal Sweden - Denmark – Finland 25% 29%27 % (rent income ratio) ? No answer in the national reports
Different aspects of ownership - Tenancy Law in all three countries is n intermediate between renting and owning Market functional aspects - Economic freedooms Conservative right of use -Landlord needs apartment for personal use -sublocation -Transfer -Changing the apartment
Landlord needs apartment for personal use Tenant friendly Landlord friendly Sweden Denmark Finland (2013 Act – Spelca- we want to create such a market)
Tenant needs money and want to sublet to a stranger Tenant friendly Landlord friendly Sweden Denmark Finland
Transfer the use of the apartment to a relative Tenant friendly Landlord friendly Sweden Denmark Finland
Making changes to the apartment Tenant friendly Landlord friendly Sweden Denmark Finland
Problems to solve Subletting - long term sick/future use - spanish apartment - work or study in a new city Barter
Value of coclusions Generalisations Poland – Evictions – problem Market situation as a cause of regulation or a effect of it.