---
title: "What does it cost to insure a subtenant?"
author: "Philip Rönnmark"
authorUrl: "https://bofrid.com/en/articles/authors/philip-ronnmark"
datePublished: "2026-10-31T07:15:02.016Z"
dateModified: "2026-10-31T07:15:02.043Z"
description: "Subtenant insurance typically costs 100–250 SEK per month and is taken out by the tenant. How insurance responsibility is divided in subletting."
keywords: ["subtenant insurance cost", "home insurance subletting", "tenant-owned flat subletting supplement", "insurance when letting", "subletting costs"]
categories: ["Guides", "Landlord"]
canonical: "https://bofrid.com/en/articles/what-does-it-cost-to-insure-a-subtenant"
language: "en"
image: "https://bofrid.media/cms/7e2108bca324285a0ee1bbc1e7ca7a77c1752247.webp"
---

# What does it cost to insure a subtenant?

Insuring a subtenant normally costs nothing for the primary tenant or tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt) owner who is letting out — because the subtenant takes out and pays for their own home insurance. What home insurance for a subtenant costs varies depending on location, flat size and excess level. It is the tenant who bears that cost, not the landlord.

## Who should have what insurance when subletting?

Insurance responsibility is divided between three roles: the property owner, the primary tenant (the person letting out) and the subtenant. Each party protects different things.

The property owner has building insurance covering the structure itself. A tenant-owned flat association (bostadsrätt) has equivalent association insurance. The primary tenant — that is, the person letting out in the second hand — needs home insurance for their own flat, and when letting out a tenant-owned flat often a tenant-owned flat supplement. The subtenant needs their own home insurance protecting their personal belongings and liability.

### Why is the landlord's insurance not enough?

Standard home insurance covers the policyholder's own belongings and liability — not a lodger's or subtenant's possessions. If a subtenant's computer is stolen or their television is damaged in a water leak, the landlord's insurance normally covers nothing of the tenant's own property. This is why the subtenant must have their own insurance.

## What does insurance for a subtenant cost?

Prices vary between insurers and location. Below shows what factors typically affect the monthly premium — always request quotes from several companies for current prices.

| Location | What affects the premium |
| --- | --- |
| Smaller town | Lower burglary risk often gives lower premium |
| Medium-sized city | Market average |
| Stockholm/Gothenburg/Malmö | Higher damage risk and often higher personal property value |
| Add-on: accidental damage/all-risks | Covers negligence, raises premium |
| Add-on: extended travel cover | For longer stays abroad |

Always compare current prices directly with insurers or via independent comparison services before taking out a policy.

### What is included in home insurance?

Standard home insurance typically includes personal property cover, liability cover, legal cover, assault cover and travel cover. Personal property cover reimburses belongings in case of fire, water damage, burglary and certain other events. Liability cover applies if the tenant negligently causes damage to the flat — for example a water leak from the dishwasher. Terms vary between insurers, so always read the insurance terms before taking out a policy.

## Who pays for subtenant insurance?

The main rule is that everyone pays for their own insurance. There is no legal requirement for a subtenant to have home insurance, but the landlord can require it in the contract. Many standard contracts — for example templates from Fastighetsägarna (Property Owners Association) and Hyresgästföreningen (Tenants' Association) — include a clause where the tenant commits to maintaining their own home insurance during the rental period.

If the contract states that the tenant should have home insurance, and the tenant fails to do so and causes damage, the tenant can become personally liable for the entire damage. This can involve large sums in the case of, for example, water damage.

### Can the landlord demand to see the insurance certificate?

Yes. If the contract requires the tenant to have home insurance it is reasonable for the landlord to request an insurance letter at move-in and at each annual renewal. This is not a breach of privacy — it is a contractual obligation that must be fulfilled.

## Tenant-owned flat supplement — an extra cost for the landlord

If you are letting out your tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt) in the second hand you should check that you have a tenant-owned flat supplement to your home insurance, unless the association has taken out a collective one. The supplement covers fixed fittings that are the tenant-owned flat owner's maintenance responsibility under the association's rules — kitchen, bathroom, flooring, surface finishes. The price for the tenant-owned flat supplement varies between insurers; contact your insurer for the current premium.

Without a tenant-owned flat supplement you as landlord could face a repair bill for large sums after water damage caused by a subtenant, if the tenant's own liability insurance does not cover the full amount.

## Step-by-step: how to sort out the insurance question

1. **Check your own insurance.** Ring your insurer and notify them that you will be letting out in the second hand. Some insurers require notification for cover to apply fully.
2. **Take out a tenant-owned flat supplement** if you are letting out a tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt) and the association does not already have collective cover.
3. **Write insurance requirements into the contract.** State that the subtenant must have their own home insurance for the entire rental period.
4. **Request an insurance letter** from the tenant at move-in. Keep a copy.
5. **Document the flat's condition** at move-in and move-out with photos and a record — this helps with damage settlement if something happens.
6. **Remind at year-end** that the tenant renews their insurance letter and sends an updated copy.
7. **In case of damage: report in parallel.** Both landlord and tenant report to their respective insurers — the insurers settle between themselves who pays what.

## When do special rules for private letting apply?

For subletting of your own home, special legislation for private letting (privatuthyrningslagen) applies which regulates among other things rent and notice periods, but which contains no insurance requirement. The insurance question is therefore entirely a matter of agreement between the parties. The rules apply when a natural person for payment lets out a house or part of a house as a dwelling — which covers the classic subletting situation.

## Further reading and related costs

For those who want to work out the full cost of letting, there are several related cost items worth reviewing:

- [What does it cost to insure yourself when letting out a flat?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/what-does-it-cost-to-insure-a-rental-flat)
- [How much does it cost to insure a rental property?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-to-insure-a-rental-property)
- How much can the landlord take as a deposit on a sublet?
- [What does it cost to break a subletting contract early?](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/what-does-it-cost-to-break-a-subletting-contract-early)
- What does it cost to let out a flat on a monthly basis?

## Frequently asked questions

**Is it illegal to let out without the tenant having insurance?**
No. There is no legal requirement. However, it is very unwise — for both landlord and tenant — and most written contracts require it.

**Does my home insurance cover a subtenant's belongings?**
No. Your home insurance covers your own personal property and liability, not the tenant's possessions. The tenant must have their own insurance to protect their belongings.

**What happens if a tenant causes water damage?**
First the damage is reported to the building insurance or the tenant-owned flat association's insurance for the structure itself. Excess and any costs for surface finishes may fall on the tenant-owned flat owner via the tenant-owned flat supplement. If the tenant was negligent, the tenant's liability insurance in their home insurance may apply.

**Does a lodger count as a subtenant for insurance purposes?**
No, these are two different situations. A lodger shares your home and is in some cases partly covered by your home insurance according to the insurer's terms — always check with your insurer. A subtenant lets the entire flat themselves and always needs their own insurance.

*This text is general information and is not legal advice in an individual case.*