Boende

Boende is the Swedish term for dwelling or residence. It refers to the place where a person lives and to housing in general. In statistics and policy discussions, boende is used to describe the housing stock, the type of dwelling, and the residents who live there.

Common boende types in Sweden include villas (villa) and row houses (radhus) as independent houses, as well as apartments (lägenhet) in multi-family buildings (flerbostadshus). Ownership forms include bostadsrätt (cooperative ownership of a dwelling), hyresrätt (rental tenancy), and ägd bostad (owner-occupied dwelling). Temporary or seasonal boende such as fritidshus (summer houses) and student housing are also part of the housing landscape.

Housing policy and planning address the supply and quality of boende through zoning, municipal housing companies, and private development. The mix of boende types influences urban development, accessibility, and affordability, particularly in larger cities where demand for rental and owner-occupied units is high. Regulations protect tenants in hyresrätt arrangements and govern conditions in rental housing, while owner-occupied segments are linked to mortgage lending and property taxes.

Etymology: boende derives from bo, meaning to live. In everyday language and official contexts, boende is used to denote a dwelling or residence and is a key concept in housing statistics and urban planning.