bostadskö

Bostadskö is a waiting list for rental housing in Sweden. People register to gain the right to rent a dwelling when a vacancy arises. The system is operated primarily by municipalities and municipal housing companies; some private landlords also maintain registries.

Registration is typically done online via the municipality or housing company’s website. Applicants provide information about household size, income, location preferences, desired size and type of housing, accessibility needs, and whether they qualify for any priority category (for example long-standing housing need, new arrivals, students). The queue can be organized by turordning (first-come, first-served) or by points/priorities, or a combination of both.

When a vacancy occurs, the housing administrator offers the apartment to the highest-ranked eligible applicant. If the offer is declined, the offer moves to the next person on the list. The registration generally remains active for a certain period, and applicants may be asked to update information periodically to maintain eligibility.

Administration and rules vary by municipality. Common examples include regional registries like Stockholms bostadskö as well as queues in Gothenburg and Malmö. Some municipalities maintain separate queues for student housing or for affordable rental housing with income limits.

Critics note that waiting times can be long and access may be uneven across areas. The system is complemented by alternatives such as direct leasing, private rentals, subsidised housing schemes, and housing cooperatives, as options for obtaining an apartment.