Housing guidance

When you live with SHIS, you should look for housing on the regular housing market. This page gives you tips on things that can increase your chances of finding a home.

Start looking for a home today

There is a shortage of housing throughout Sweden. Many people are looking for a home and the housing queues are often long. It can take many years to get a first-hand contract. It is therefore important that you start looking for a home in good time.

You can always ask our staff. SHIS housing counselors and housing support workers will give you support and guidance.

Support when looking for housing

Register with the Housing Agency

When you live with SHIS, you must be registered as a housing applicant with the Housing Agency. Anyone who has reached the age of 18 and has a Swedish personal identity number or coordination number can register. Your waiting time starts to count immediately after you have registered.

Every year you have to pay a waiting fee to the Housing Agency. If you do not pay on time, you will lose your place in the queue and your waiting time will disappear.

Information in other languages (bostad.stockholm.se) External link, opens in new window.

Instructions on how to register interest in a property at Bostadsförmedlingen pdf, 688.8 kB, opens in new window.

Join more housing queues

You can join several housing queues both in Stockholm and in other parts of Sweden. If you are in more housing queues, your chances of finding a home increase.

There are landlords who are municipal and private. This list of landlords in Sweden pdf, 1.8 MB. can give you some tips. You can also ask SHIS staff how to find housing queues online (digital).

Update your information in the housing queues

It is important that your personal information in the housing queues is up to date. If your family situation changes, for example if your income changes, you should update your details in the housing waiting lists where you are registered.

This will increase your chances of receiving a housing offer.

Finding a second home or living in shared accommodation

Sometimes it can be quicker to get a home if you sublet. This means that you rent from a private person or from a company. You can also live as a lodger. This means that you live with one or more other people.

When you live in sublet or shared accommodation, you can remain in the Housing Agency's queue without losing your waiting time.

Blocket.se External link, opens in new window. is an example of a website where you can find housing that is sublet or where someone is looking for a lodger. There are other examples, please ask SHIS staff for tips.

Use your contacts and social media

Tell your friends, your employer and your colleagues that you are looking for a home. You can also advertise on your social media.

Using your contacts and letting them know you are looking for a home will increase your chances of finding one.

Keep your finances in order

Most landlords do not accept tenants who have debts. If you have debts, you may be refused housing by the Housing Agency even if you have a good waiting list.

It is therefore important that you keep your finances in order and that you make your payments on any debts.

How to take care of your finances Opens in new window.

If you need help with your finances, you should contact a budget and debt advisor. The advice is free and the advisors are bound by professional secrecy.

About budget and debt counseling Opens in new window.

Senast uppdaterad: 2025-12-10