---
title: "Does the landlord have to pay for repairing white goods?"
author: "Esther Asmundsson"
authorUrl: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/authors/EstherAsmundsson"
datePublished: "2026-08-08T07:16:18.615Z"
dateModified: "2026-08-11T09:09:49.124Z"
description: "Wondering who pays to repair a fridge in a rental flat in Sweden? We explain the laws and rules covering the landlord's and the tenant's responsibilities."
keywords: ["fridge repair rental flat Sweden", "landlord responsibility white goods", "who pays for a broken fridge", "tenant maintenance obligation Sweden", "reporting faults white goods rental"]
categories: ["Hyresgäst", "Guider"]
canonical: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/does-the-landlord-have-to-pay-for-repairing-white-goods"
language: "en"
image: "https://bofrid.media/cms/3d65355e431545297ab4516e537ca1145b5222ce.webp"
---

# Does the landlord have to pay for repairing white goods?

## Who pays to repair a fridge in a rental flat?

The starting point for who bears responsibility for repairs in a hyresrätt (rental flat) is the landlord's maintenance obligation. As a general rule, it is the hyresvärd (landlord) who must keep the flat in fully serviceable condition and ensure that any white goods forming part of the flat's standard equipment work as expected. If a fridge breaks down because of normal slitage (wear and tear) or age, it is therefore the landlord who is obliged to pay for the repair or replacement.

Under hyreslagen (the Rent Act), the landlord is required at reasonable intervals to arrange wallpapering, painting and other customary repairs made necessary by the deterioration of the flat through age and use. White goods such as fridges, freezers and cookers are covered by this responsibility as long as they were part of the flat when the tenancy agreement was signed. This means that you as a hyresgäst (tenant) should not have to pay for a repair technician or a new appliance when an older appliance stops working for natural reasons.

### When does the tenant pay for the repair?

The allocation of responsibility shifts if the damage has arisen through the tenant's own actions or negligence. If a fridge breaks because you have treated it carelessly, or if you have caused damage by not following the care instructions, you may become liable to pay compensation. However, it is the landlord who bears the burden of proof in showing that the damage is due to abnormal use or carelessness. Examples of situations where the tenant may become liable for the cost include:

- Physical damage to the fittings, for example broken shelves or shattered glass shelving.
- Damage arising because the tenant has attempted to repair the appliance themselves in an incorrect manner.
- Inadequate cleaning that has caused the compressor or fan motor to overheat.

### Who pays to repair a fridge in a rental flat in an emergency?

In the event of an urgent fault, such as the fridge no longer cooling and food being at risk of spoiling, you should contact your landlord immediately. It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure that the fault is put right within a reasonable time. If the landlord refuses to carry out repairs even though it is their responsibility, you as a tenant may in certain cases be entitled to carry out the repair yourself and invoice the landlord afterwards. This does, however, involve considerable risk and should never be done without first documenting the fault and giving the landlord a formal written request to remedy the defect.

| Situation | Responsible for the cost |
| :--- | :--- |
| Normal wear and tear/age | The landlord |
| Negligence/carelessness | The tenant |
| Faulty installation | The landlord |
| Damage through an accident | The tenant (via home contents insurance) |

### Documentation and communication

To avoid future disputes, it is essential that you document faults as soon as they arise. Take photographs of the damage and keep all correspondence with the landlord. If you notice that a fridge is starting to make odd noises or is losing its cooling ability, report the fault in writing straight away. If the landlord ignores your fault report, it may ultimately lead to a tenancy case requiring mediation. For more information on how to proceed in a dispute, read on about how to file an application with Hyresnämnden (the Rent Tribunal) in our guide to [disputes with your landlord](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/dispute-with-your-landlord-how-to-report-to-the-swedish-rent-tribunal).

It is also important to know the rules that apply to letting. If, for example, you live in a sublet home, the terms may differ depending on the agreement. Do read more about what applies on the [subletting market](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/sweden-s-second-hand-rental-market-2026-new-rules-for-renting-out-your-cooperative-apartment-you). And if you are unsure what the various terms in your tenancy agreement mean, our [glossary of the rental market](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/swedish-rental-market-glossary-sweden) can provide the clarity you need.

### The tenant's right to a rent reduction

When an essential part of the flat's equipment, such as a fridge or a freezer, stops working and the landlord fails in their duty to repair it, the tenant may be entitled to a reduction of the rent for the period during which the flat is in a defective condition. Under Chapter 12, Section 11 of jordabalken (the Land Code), also known as hyreslagen (the Rent Act), the tenant is entitled to a reasonable reduction of the rent for the period during which the home is not in the condition the tenant is entitled to demand.

This means that if you are forced to live without functioning white goods for a prolonged period, despite having reported the fault to the landlord, you can claim financial compensation. It is important to stress that the reduction is based on how large a share of the flat's utility value is affected. A broken freezer may in some cases be regarded as a defect justifying a price reduction, particularly if it means you are forced to buy ready-made meals or cannot store food hygienically. To pursue such a claim, the tenant should first demand in writing that the fault be remedied. If the landlord remains passive, the matter can be examined by Hyresnämnden (the Rent Tribunal). It is, however, the tenant who bears the burden of proving that the flat has been in a defective condition for a given period.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does the landlord have to buy a brand-new fridge if the old one breaks down?**
No, the landlord is obliged to ensure that the flat meets an acceptable standard. That means the appliance must work, but it need not be an entirely new model. A second-hand appliance in good condition is usually sufficient as a replacement.

**Can the landlord refuse to repair the fridge if I have pets?**
No, pets do not affect the landlord's maintenance obligation, as long as the animal has not caused the specific damage to the fridge by, for instance, chewing through cables or damaging the casing. Read more about the rules on [pets in a rental flat](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/pets-in-rental-apartments-in-sweden-rules-rights-agreements-your).

**What happens if I accidentally break a shelf in the fridge?**
That counts as damage you have caused yourself. In this case you will usually have to pay for a new shelf. The best approach is to contact the landlord and ask whether they can order a spare part for you that you then pay for.

**Can the landlord deduct the cost of the repair from my deposit?**
The landlord may only deduct costs from the deposit if the damage is due to abnormal wear and tear or negligence on your part. For more detail on what may be deducted, see our guide to the [deposit when renting](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/rental-deposit-sweden-rules-amount-2026).

*The information in this article is intended as general guidance and does not constitute legal advice.*