Hyresregleringen i Sverige : Historik och analys utifrån parterna på hyresmarknaden

Rent control in Sweden has been a subject to much research, debate and criticism. The reasons for this are many. The housing market, particularly in central parts of Stockholm, has foundered in the sense that it´s necessary to have contacts, dirty money or to use illegal methods to gain a tenancy in the city. To wait in line for 20 years to acquire an apartment is not an option for most. Some argue that the solution to this problem is to let market forces govern, that it would release new apartments and the construction of rental properties would increase. Others argue that the current system is essential to financial and social diversity in the inner city. As a matter of fact is that the rental market in other countries in Europe has become more market driven. In this essay I begin by explaining concepts that are central to understanding the discussion of rent control in Sweden. Furthermore I provide a thorough history of rent control in Sweden and analyze the concepts I have previously described. The main purpose of this paper is to create an nderstanding of how the parties in the rental market looks at the current system. Inconcrete terms, I investigate their views on how the system works and could be developed. I interview people with insight into the current system and let them argue for what is good and bad about the system, and what the alternative could be. Thesis leads to conclusions that the current system is not used as originally intended and that it has been difficult to implement policy changes concerning the housing market. I also make some conclusions about why the current system has remained for so long, in spite of problems in the housing market.