Overview
All residents in the association are required to have valid home insurance.
Apartment owners are also strongly advised to take out a supplementary apartment-owner insurance.
You are free to choose your own provider.
Important Information for Apartment Owners
As an apartment owner, you have greater responsibility than a standard tenant.
This is a brief overview of the rules. It is not exhaustive, and the Swedish Condominium Act and the association’s statutes ultimately apply.
Understanding the basic principles helps you avoid surprises and protect yourself financially.
Shared Responsibility
The Condominium Act assumes that the association and apartment owner are equal parties.
The statutes specify how maintenance and repair responsibility is divided:
- Apartment owner: Interior maintenance and repairs, including surfaces and appliances.
- Association: Building exterior and structure.
Exceptions to the Main Rule
Two types of damage are exceptions:
- Fire damage
- Water pipe damage
The apartment owner is only responsible if negligence is involved.
Note: Water pipe damage does not cover all leaks. Leaks through defective seals or connected machines follow the main rule.
Example: If a bathroom leaks through the surface layer, it is the apartment owner’s responsibility, regardless of negligence.
Damage Outside Your Flat
For damage spreading outside your flat (e.g., water to a neighbour below), you are only liable if negligence can be established.
Factors considered:
- What you saw or should have seen
- What you understood or should have understood
Example: Older bathrooms with original fixtures increase the risk of liability if you do not renovate.
Protect Yourself
Insurance can partially protect you, but never completely.
- Prevent damage — especially in older bathrooms.
- Supplementary apartment-owner insurance reduces your financial risk.
Supplementary Apartment-Owner Insurance
The supplement covers:
- Your personal property and installations (e.g., parquet, dishwasher).
- Property that belongs to the association but for which you are responsible (e.g., bathroom surfaces).
It does not cover the cause of the damage.
For leaks, it covers new surfaces but not the defective cause.
Depreciation
Insurance covers the actual property, not a new replacement.
Example: A 30-year-old bathroom with 40-year expected lifespan is only reimbursed for 25% of the replacement cost.
Summary
Prevent damage – renovate old surfaces before problems occur.
Protect with insurance – ensure you have the correct apartment-owner supplement.