Svenska

Housing exchange for outgoing and incoming students

On this page we have collected tips, advice and recommendations on how you, as an International Coordinator, can help incoming and outgoing students to exchange accommodation.

Unfortunately, Stockholm University cannot offer accommodation to all incoming students. For example, by law the university cannot offer accommodation to paying students from Europe.

As an international coordinator you have the opportunity to support your students by matching outgoing students with incoming students.

The application process

When applying for an exchange programme, outgoing students can also indicate whether they are interested in renting out their accommodation during the exchange period.

After nomination, information on available accommodation can be collected. We recommend that students create an advertisement with the following information:

rental period
size and number of rooms and beds
floor plan
monthly rent
furnished or unfurnished
white goods (dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, vacuum cleaner, etc.)
internet, electricity, heating, water (what is included in the rent?)
Balcony, if available
description of the property/view/location
description of the area
Communications and travel time to SU
photos of the property
contact details.

Students must give permission for their advertisement to be distributed to incoming students at Stockholm University during their exchange period.

Incoming students are informed that they can apply for accommodation through the University and are given the opportunity to express their interest in renting their own accommodation to an outgoing student.

Incoming students are asked to prepare a letter of application, including a short presentation, accommodation preferences and, if possible, references. Contact details should also be included.

Once all the accommodation has been arranged by the Housing Office, you will send an email to the students who have expressed an interest with all the outgoing students' accommodation adverts.

Incoming students are responsible for contacting outgoing students about the adverts. It may be useful to ask them to send letters of introduction.

Alternative procedure

If there are a lot of incoming students, outgoing landlords may find that they receive a lot of emails. An alternative could be to allow outgoing students to read the application letters of incoming students, making it easier for them to contact potential tenants.

Outgoing students

Outgoing students are informed that the University cannot guarantee a tenant, but that the chances are good. The University is not responsible for incoming tenants, but only for arranging contacts.

Inform students that help can be provided with certificates of study, which some landlords may require.

Important information for outgoing students

The student is responsible for the whole process, including administration and signing the contract.
The rent should be reasonable and in line with the student's own living costs.
The rent must be set in accordance with current rental legislation. A furnished flat may have a maximum mark-up of 15 per cent, while corridor rooms have a lower mark-up. Electricity and internet costs may be added.
Studying abroad is a valid reason for subletting, but subletting must be approved by the landlord/building society.
Use a reliable template for subletting contracts, preferably from landlords or housing associations.

Download free templates in English (Fastighetsägarna)

Incoming students

Incoming students are advised that the University cannot guarantee them accommodation or the quality of outgoing students' accommodation. The contact is only an intermediary.

Important information for incoming students

The notice period for accommodation in Sweden is three calendar months, regardless of the type of tenancy agreement.
If you sign a tenancy agreement but do not move in, the cancellation period still applies. You will be liable to pay up to three months' rent.
Agree on the notice period both before you move in and during your stay.
It is normal to pay a deposit of up to one month's rent when you move in.
Apply for as many properties as possible, as competition can be fierce.
It is difficult to find accommodation in Stockholm, so use several search methods at the same time.