Today at 08:30, Malmö’s rental giants are pushing for even higher rent increases despite already seeing a record increase this year. The Tenants’ Association has rejected their demands, but four hosts are choosing to bypass the system and raise rents anyway. Jacob Falck, a tenant affected by the increase, finds their actions shameful and is concerned about his financial situation.
Malmö’s tenants already received one of the highest rent increases in the country at 5 percent, but now seven private rental giants are demanding an additional 2 percent. Despite the Tenants’ Association saying no, several hosts are implementing a second increase of 1.75 percent. This means that thousands of tenants in Malmö will face a total increase of 6.75 percent this year, a new national high.
Jacob Falck, who lives with Heimstaden, is one of the affected tenants. He finds their actions shameful, especially considering the lack of maintenance. He worries about the consequences if he continues to pay the old rent, as the landlord’s letter suggests that there may be further stages and potential threats if he does not comply.
Heimstaden justifies the additional rent increase by claiming exceptional circumstances. They argue that tenants should be grateful for being renters, as many condominium associations have had to raise fees significantly. Patrik Hall, senior advisor at Heimstaden, states that those who continue to pay the old rent risk facing a retroactive increase determined by the rent board.
Jacob Falck refuses to pay the rent increase and has stopped the direct debit. He is concerned about the consequences and his neighbors’ fears of reprisals. His commute and share of the rent already make it difficult for him to manage financially.
The Tenants’ Association strongly criticizes the four housing companies – Heimstaden, Willhem, Victoriahem, and Trianon – for implementing the rent increase. They urge all tenants to continue paying the old rent and believe the companies should revoke the increase.
Certain areas and properties, such as Rosengård’s properties and Kanslihuset, will not implement any further rent increase despite initially demanding an additional 2 percent. Nevertheless, there is still widespread concern among residents, and they hope for no more surprises.
Overall, the situation highlights the ongoing tension between rental giants and tenants, with the Tenants’ Association advocating for residents’ rights and security.
Today at 08:30
Malmö This year’s record increase is not enough for Malmö’s rental giants who want even more. The tenants’ association says no, but four hosts now choose to circumvent the system and raise the rents anyway. “Their actions are shameful,” says tenant Jacob Falck, who worries about his finances.
Photo: Private
Jacob Falck gets a second rent increase this year.
Malmö’s tenants received one of the year’s highest rent increases in the country at 5 percent. But seven private rental giants want more. In a unique second appeal, they have demanded an additional 2 percent. But the Tenants’ Association has said no, which Hem & Hyra has told us about.
Now several hosts are implementing a second increase anyway, with 1.75 percent. This means that thousands of tenants in Malmö will receive a total increase this year of 6.75 percent, a new top rating in the country.
– I think it’s frankly too damned.
Jacob Falck lives with Heimstaden and is one of the affected.
– Their actions are shameful. Especially considering how lagging the maintenance is.
He has reacted to the mailing from the landlord with the message that they are raising the rent even though it has not been negotiated with the Tenants’ Association. Those who choose to continue paying the old rent cannot “in the first stage” be dismissed, the letter states.
– But since then? What can happen in a second stage? I think it feels threatening, he says.
Heimstaden raises the rent a second time
Heimstaden defends the additional rent increase by saying that there are special circumstances.
– We live in exceptional times. There are many who find it tough and challenging. Today you can be grateful to be a tenant. Many condominium associations have had to raise fees by 40 percent, says Patrik Hall, senior advisor and former CEO at Heimstaden.
Photo: Anders Paulsson
Patrik Hall, senior advisor at Heimstaden.
What does the tenant who continues to pay the old rent risk?
– We will turn to the rent board and what you risk is a retroactive increase if the rent board determines the new level. Then you can also get an even higher increase.
Do you mean that you will demand even more?
– I am not saying that we will demand more, but we will review the value in use and it may be higher and it may be lower.
You don’t risk being fired if you pay the old rent?
– No, not as long as you follow the rent level set by the rent board. We will treat all tenants with respect. They are our customers, says Patrik Hall.
He is not going to pay the rent increase
The tenant Jacob Falck does not intend to pay the increase.
– We absolutely will not do that. We have stopped the direct debit and intend to pay the old rent manually. But it’s a bit nervous. And we have neighbors in the house who can’t stand it. They are afraid of reprisals.
Photo: Private
The tenant Jacob Falck in Malmö.
Jacob Falck commutes from Möllevången to work as a farmer outside Malmö. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he lives in a collective and shares the rent for the four-room apartment with two others, it would have been difficult to get the finances together. His salary is SEK 23,000 a month, before tax. The monthly rent is SEK 10,000.
– It’s already expensive as hell and it’s hard to get it going around, says Jacob Falck.
“Back off from the rent increase”
The Tenants’ Association is very critical and wants the four housing companies that now choose to raise rents by 1.75 percent – Heimstaden, Willhem, Victoriahem and Trianon – back off from the increase.
– We do not think it is responsible. They should revoke the increase, says Benny Bendzovski, head of negotiations at the Tenants’ Association in Malmö.
Photo: Kristina Wahlgren
Benny Bendzovski, head of negotiations at the Tenants’ Association in Malmö.
The tenant association urges all tenants to continue paying the old rent.
– Our focus now is on the residents and that they should feel safe. You risk nothing if you pay the old rent and you cannot be fired, says Benny Bendzovski.
No rent increase in certain areas
But not all Malmö tenants with private hosts are affected. Rosengård’s properties and Kanslihuset, which also demanded an additional 2 percent, will not implement any further increase in rent.
– It is good that they back down and take their responsibility, says Benny Bendzovski.
Certain houses at Heimstaden are also exempt. Including the Crown Prince and Almgården, a million dollar program area on the eastern edge of the city. Despite that, there has been great concern among the residents.
Photo: Anders Paulsson
The tenant Christer Nilsson at Almgården.
– It is clear that the tenants are worried and that people are talking about this. What is happening is not fun at all, says Christer Nilsson, a long-term tenant and involved in the local Tenants’ Association.
Now he hopes that there will be no new news for the residents of Almgården’s 1,000 apartments.
– In that case, the landlord is a real piece of shit if they drag us into this now. We have already received a violent rent increase of five percent. This is not something that affects people with plenty of money in their wallets, says Christer Nilsson.
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