Swedish Tenants’ Union

0

Swedish Tenants’ Union

Mismatches Price
Policies and regulations National policies Regulation Building capacity Price control
Ownership and tenure Protection of social housing

Main objectives of the project

In most countries globally, rent prices are primarily dictated by market forces. However, Sweden, shaped by its history of progressive ideals and left-leaning governance, has upheld a unique rent model grounded in the concept of "use-value." Here, rent isn't subject to market fluctuations but rather negotiated between landlords and tenants, taking into account the specific attributes of the property. This system stems from a longstanding regulatory approach in Sweden that treats all rental housing equally, regardless of form or tenure.

Date

Stakeholders

  • Hyresgäst­föreningen

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Sweden

Description

In the housing sector, a significant challenge arises from the unequal distribution of power and information among stakeholders, leaving tenants particularly vulnerable in an imperfect market environment. This concern prompted Sweden to organize tenants into mass grassroots unions as early as the 19th century. The primary objective was to enable tenants to negotiate rent and housing conditions with property owners. Following the establishment of the welfare state, the methodologies of negotiation developed by these Tenant Unions were formalized into law.

Presently, all tenants in Sweden, regardless of whether housing is provided for profit or not, possess the right to participate in negotiating rents and tenancy conditions. This right is reinforced by tenant mobilization and active campaigns advocating for tenant rights. With a membership of 500,000 individuals, the Tenants' Association has not only become one of Sweden's largest grassroots movements but also the world's largest tenants' association. The Association, alongside representatives of landlords, engages in negotiating tenancy agreements. In instances where landlords refuse to negotiate with tenants, a statutory Rent Tribunal holds the authority to impose arrangements regarding rent levels and tenancy conditions.

Currently, the largest tenant union negotiates rents for three million tenants residing in 1.5 million apartments. These apartments are situated across 300 municipal housing associations and 45,000 private rental properties. Approximately 4,000 elected members participate in rent negotiations.

The system mirrors the process by which wages are determined in Sweden, characterized by broad sector-based negotiations between organized labor and employers' organizations. This system operates on the principle of "bruksvärde," or "use-value," which aims to both model market rents and ensure fixed tenure and reasonable rents for tenants. Rent is established based on various factors including the size, design, location, and physical condition of the apartment in question.

In addition to negotiations, the Tenant's Union advocates for policy innovations such as rent regulations for housing in the free market and the promotion of cooperatives or social housing.

Vivalla renovation

0

Vivalla renovation

Mismatches Segregation Services Diversity Vulnerable groups Climate change
Policies and regulations Global frameworks
Promotion and production Public-private partnerships Participatory processes

Main objectives of the project

In 2010, ÖrebroBostäder, a public housing organization, initiated a strategic partnership agreement with construction company Skanska and architectural firm White Arkitekter to renovate the Vivalla district in Örebro. Residents of the housing complex actively participated in the planning process with the assistance of the Swedish Tenants Organisation. Workshops, including sessions for children, were organized to gather insights into residents' needs and preferences. Innovatively, Skanska employed 80 unemployed residents for the renovation and construction work through a unique bid specification. The Swedish Ministry of Employment collaborated with Skanska and ÖrebroBostäder by facilitating frequent informative meetings and interviews with residents. Additionally, the Municipality of Örebro supported ÖrebroBostäder by overseeing and approving the changes in the urban planning of the area.

Date

  • 2023: Construction
  • 2011: En proceso

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: ÖrebroBostäder
  • Architect: White Arkitekter
  • Constructor: Skanska
  • Örebro City Hall

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Örebro, Sweden

Description

Originally constructed as part of the Miljonprogrammet (Million Program) Swedish government public housing scheme in the late 1960s, the Vivalla neighborhood in Örebro has long struggled with high unemployment and various social issues. Despite its size, equivalent to that of a small town, Vivalla lacked essential amenities and services, and its physical isolation from the rest of the city compounded its challenges. However, through collaborative efforts led by ÖrebroBostäder, White Arkitekter, and Skanska, the entire neighborhood has undergone a transformative revitalization, creating a safer and more positive residential environment.

Initiating a strategic partnering agreement between Skanska and ÖrebroBostäder from 2010, the focus has been on refurbishing and renewing three blocks, with the project expected to conclude by 2024. Alongside renovating approximately 400 apartments, the partners have prioritized the development of green spaces and meeting areas within the neighborhood. Engaging in extensive dialogue with residents, solutions were identified to enhance safety and foster a sense of community. The project encompasses renovations, demolitions, new constructions, and significant alterations to the outdoor landscape. For example, by moving the entrances of selected buildings from the long eastern flank to the western flank, they created entrance spaces where neighbours can meet. By demarcating public and semi-private spaces more clearly, they facilitated the social “territories” that people need for their sense of identity, community, and security.

Energy efficiency was central too. It reduces the impact on the environment and lowers heating costs by installing solar panels, for example. The houses in Vivalla are more energy efficient than the building norm requires. They also tested the latest technology in a variety of climate-smart measures, such as the smarter FTX system where they preheat the outdoor air via ground heating holes in the ground. Moreover, green roofs where installed (with sedum coating)

Notably, the project aimed to introduce features unique to the neighborhood and attract new tenant demographics, aligning the population structure more closely with the municipality as a whole. ÖrebroBostäder demonstrated a commitment to change while preserving existing qualities such as low-scale, car-free walkways, and distinctive red-brick facades. Subsequent stages of the regeneration project have continued to replicate these patterns and designs throughout the district.

A significant achievement of the initiative is the Residents Builder program, providing work placements for unemployed residents in the renovation. Designed to reduce segregation and facilitate entry into the labor market, around 80 individuals have participated in placements with Skanska and subcontractors. Additionally, efforts to combat segregation have led to a more diverse population within the neighborhood, accompanied by the opening of new services such as the "Trainstation" education center, offering opportunities for skill development among young people in areas like music, photography, and digital literacy. The goal is that 70% of tenants must have an income. This will even increase diversity in the community.

The Slottet Housing Group

0

The Slottet Housing Group

Main objectives of the project

A housing group of three 4- and 5 story buildings inspired by, and with concern for the urban qualities of the surrounding villa-like multistory residential quarters - a contemporary interpretation of the the urban villa motif.

Date

  • 2000: Construction

Stakeholders

  • Architect: Matt White
  • Architect: Henrik Jais-Nielsen

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Sweden

Description

Slottsvången is a housing group just outside the centre of Helsingborg. The group consists of three buildings of 4 and 5 floors, and contains a total of 34 flats. The top floors of the three buildings are designed as penthouses. The surroundings, which inspired the design of the new project, consist of the monumental school Slottsvångsskolan and an area with multi-family housing that resemble single-family houses. The design of the new housing group is an interpretation of the motif the urban villa, or single-family house, in a park with a large area of well-kept grass.
Slottsvången is a group of residential buildings located approximately 600 m from the center of Helsingborg. 34 apartments are distributed in three buildings of 4 and 5 floors. The top floors are designed as penthouses, with reclusive façades and large roof terraces. The surrounding area consists of a large school of monumental character, the Slottsvångsskolan, as well as a cohesive area of villa-like apartment buildings. It is to a certain extent the vicinity and the concern of these surroundings that motivates the chosen design. It allows for sight lines, lets in the sun in the neighboring streets and gardens, and is a contemporary interpretation of the motif the urban villa. The houses are characterized by large patios with varied placement, mutually offset so that they all catch the sun. The façades are made of lightweight walls plastered white, with touches of natural colored cement composite panels, mounted with edges horizontally overlapping, as clapboards.
Below the two larger houses along the St. Peder’s street is a garage, technical areas and storage units.

‘Swedish Tenants’ Union – advocacy in negotiating tenant and landlord agreements

0

‘Swedish Tenants’ Union – advocacy in negotiating tenant and landlord agreements

Ownership and tenure

Main objectives of the project

All tenants of rented housing in Sweden, including for-profit and non-profit provision, have the right to be involved in negotiating rents and tenancy conditions. This builds on a distinctive history of rented housing regulation which treats all forms of rented housing the same.

Date

Stakeholders

  • Promotor: Hyresgästföreningen – Swedish Tenants’ Union

Location

Continent: Europe
Country/Region: Sweden

Description

This is reinforced by tenant mobilization and active campaigns for rights. Representative organizations of tenants and landlords negotiate tenancy agreements. If landlords refuse to negotiate with tenants, a statutory Rent Tribunal has the power to impose an arrangement regarding rent levels and tenancy conditions.[1]

Authors: