HSB Riksförbund, Sweden’s largest housing cooperative, is voicing strong concerns over government proposals to ease subletting regulations for tenant-owned apartments. The goal of the proposed changes is to bring more housing to the market, However, HSB argues the move could lead to increased speculation and destabilization in housing cooperatives.

Johan Nyhus, chairman of HSB Riksförbund, warns that more lenient subletting rules could lead to units being bought or held purely for rental income, especially those that extend the allowable period of subletting. This creates the potential of eroding community involvement and making property management more difficult for co-op boards.

HSB points to the 2014 reforms, which struck a balance between individual flexibility and cooperative responsibility, as a more effective framework. They argue that the current proposals would strip co-ops of the ability to enforce stricter policies suited to their communities. In addition, it potentially increases disturbances and reducing cohesion in residential areas.

HSB is actively opposing the changes through national and local media, emphasizing the broader social risks in a time of growing concerns over community safety and crime. Read the full story here.

To find out more about housing cooperatives in Sweden and other countries go to our Cooperative Housing Worldwide page.