bostadsrättslägenhet

A bostadsrättslägenhet, often translated as a housing cooperative apartment or simply a co-op apartment, is a form of housing ownership common in Sweden. Instead of owning the physical property outright, the resident is a member of a housing cooperative, known as a bostadsrättsförening (BRF). This membership grants the individual the right to live in a specific apartment indefinitely.

Ownership of a bostadsrättslägenhet involves purchasing a share in the cooperative. This share represents the right to occupy a particular unit. The cooperative itself owns the building and the land it stands on. Monthly fees, known as "avgift," are paid by residents to the cooperative. These fees typically cover the costs of maintaining the property, common areas, and often include utilities like heating and water. Mortgage payments are made for the individual share, not for the apartment itself.

As a member of the BRF, residents have a say in the management of the cooperative, often through voting at general meetings. They are bound by the cooperative's bylaws and rules. Selling a bostadsrättslägenhet involves selling the share in the cooperative, and the sale usually needs approval from the BRF. This model differs from outright ownership (äganderätt), where an individual owns the property and the land. It also differs from renting, where the resident has no ownership stake.