| Scenario | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Require employment verification | The landlord can require proof of ability to pay, but not employment verification specifically | Discrimination Act (2008:567) |
| Refuse a flat due to unemployment | Not permitted — this is discrimination | Discrimination Act 1 ch. 4 § |
| Require higher deposit without employment verification | Not permitted — the deposit is regulated and cannot be used to compensate for uncertainty about ability to pay | Rental Act 12 ch. 56 § Land Code |
| Request reference from previous landlords | Permitted — it is a way to check payment history | Market practice |
| Require advance payment | Permitted, but must be agreed in writing | Rental Act 12 ch. 54 § Land Code |
A landlord can require employment verification, but only to assess your ability to pay rent — not to refuse you the flat because you are unemployed. The landlord must treat all applications according to the same criteria and cannot discriminate. The limit is set by the Discrimination Act (2008:567) and the principle of reasonable rent.
Renting without employment verification: landlord requirements for documentation
When you apply for a flat without employment verification, the landlord can request other proof that you can pay the rent. This can be:
- Salary statement from a previous employer
- Bank statements showing regular income
- Declaration of financial support from family or municipality
- Certificate from Arbetsförmedlingen (the Swedish Public Employment Service) showing unemployment benefit
- Saved funds in a bank account
The landlord cannot require employment verification specifically, but can require documentation showing that you can pay the rent during the contract period. It is the landlord's legitimate interest to reduce the risk of unpaid rent.
What a landlord can and cannot do
Discrimination and equal treatment
The landlord must treat all applications according to the same criteria. If the landlord requires employment verification from you but not from other applicants, it can be discrimination. The Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of:
- Ethnic or national origin
- Gender identity or gender expression
- Religion or other belief
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
Unemployment is not a protected category, but the landlord cannot use unemployment as a proxy to discriminate on any of the above grounds.
How to show ability to pay without employment verification
- Gather financial documents: Bank statements from the last three months showing regular income or saved funds.
- Get a certificate from Arbetsförmedlingen: If you are unemployed but receiving benefit, request a certificate showing the amount and length of the benefit.
- Ask for written confirmation from the municipality: If you receive financial assistance, the municipality can confirm this.
- Offer a higher deposit: Within the limit of what is permitted (equivalent to two months' rent according to the Rental Act).
- Present a reference from a previous landlord: If you have rented before, ask the previous landlord to confirm that you paid on time.
- Offer a guarantor: A family member or other person can act as a guarantor for the rent.
- Document everything in writing: Send all documents by email so there is a record.
Landlord's obligations when assessing
The landlord must:
- Treat your application according to the same criteria as other applications
- Give you the opportunity to present alternative documentation
- Not require more than two months' rent as a deposit
- Not require advance payment unless it is agreed in writing
- Justify a refusal on factual grounds
The landlord cannot:
- Refuse you a flat due to unemployment if you can show ability to pay in another way
- Require employment verification as the only proof
- Treat you differently from other applicants
- Require disproportionately high deposits or advance payments
What applies to subletting?
If the landlord is a private person renting out their own home under the Private Rental Act (2026:772), the same principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination apply. The landlord can still require proof of ability to pay, but must do so in a non-discriminatory way.
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord refuse me a flat because I am unemployed? No, unemployment is not grounds for refusing a flat. The landlord can only refuse if you cannot show ability to pay. If you can show that you have saved funds, benefit from Arbetsförmedlingen, or a guarantor, the landlord cannot refuse on the grounds of unemployment.
What should I do if the landlord requires employment verification and I am unemployed? Offer alternative documentation: bank statements, a certificate from Arbetsförmedlingen, or a guarantor. Send it in writing by email. If the landlord still refuses, you can contact the Discrimination Ombudsman or a legal adviser to assess whether it is discrimination.
Can a landlord require a higher deposit if I do not have employment verification? No. The deposit is regulated and can be at most two months' rent according to the Rental Act. The landlord cannot use the deposit to compensate for uncertainty about ability to pay.
What other documents can I present instead of employment verification? Bank statements, a certificate from Arbetsförmedlingen, a declaration of financial support from the municipality, saved funds, a reference from a previous landlord, or a guarantor. Present what shows the most stable income or resources.
Related articles
Read more about landlord rights and obligations:
- Can a landlord require advance payment?
- Can a landlord require a cash deposit?
- Can you require a reference from previous landlords?
- Reasonable rent 2026: how to calculate the right rent
- What do the new subletting rules mean for your rent?
This text is general information and does not replace legal advice.
