Woman, 95, to stay in Östermalm apartment despite disturbance complaints
A long-standing dispute has been making headlines in Stockholm as a 95-year-old woman fought for her right to remain in her Östermalm apartment despite complaints of disturbances from neighbors. The elderly woman moved into the rental apartment at the attractive address in Östermalm, which sparked a series of complaints from the landlord and several neighbors.
According to reports, the landlord received complaints of the woman uprooting flowers in the yard, taking items from the garbage room and placing them in the yard, and even turning off the washing machine during other neighbors’ designated washing times. The landlord also claimed that the woman “occupied” and “took over” the courtyard, making some neighbors feel unwelcome.
In addition to these disturbances, the landlord sent out two written warnings to the woman after complaints from neighbors about her shouting derogatory remarks, including words like “whore,” “cunt,” and “f***ing foreigner.”
After continued disruption, the landlord terminated the woman’s contract in August 2022. However, a decision by the tenancy board and later by the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the woman, allowing her to stay in her apartment. The decision took into account the woman’s age and noted that the situation had improved since the dismissal.
Jens Waldenström, a lawyer at the Tenants’ Association and the woman’s representative, spoke to Hem & Hyra about the decision, stating that moving at her advanced age could have worsened the woman’s health. He noted that it is common for elderly individuals to experience worsening health conditions when relocating.
The dispute has garnered attention and sparked discussions about the rights of elderly individuals in rental housing. The case highlights the complexities of balancing the needs and rights of tenants with concerns about disturbances and disruptions to others in shared residential spaces.