Rent increase tenant board Gotland: how to object to a higher rent in Visby

Gotland Tenant Board and rent increase – what you can say no to

When you rent an apartment in Gotland, your landlord may want to raise the rent. Gotland's tenant board is the authority that decides whether a rent increase is justified according to the Land Code. Many tenants in Visby think they have to accept a higher rent, but that is not always the case.

When a rent increase is valid

A landlord may raise the rent for a rented apartment when the apartment has been improved through renovation or modernisation, or when the general rent level on the island has risen. The landlord must notify you of the change in writing, and you have the right to respond. If you do not agree, the landlord can apply to the tenant board for approval of the higher rent. The written notification must state clearly what the new rent will be and from which date it is supposed to apply.

Your time limit – Land Code 55 e §

According to Land Code 55 e §, a decision on changed rental conditions may not apply to the time before the month shift that occurs closest after three months from the date of application. Nor may the decision apply to the time before six months have passed after the previous conditions began to apply. In practice, this means a rent increase cannot be applied retroactively further back than six months. If the landlord applied too late, you only pay the new rent from the month shift after three months from the application date.

How to notify your landlord that you do not accept the increase

If your landlord in Visby or elsewhere on Gotland notifies you of a rent increase, you should:

1. Read the notification carefully and note the date.
2. Reply in writing within a reasonable time and state that you do not accept the new rent.
3. Keep a copy of your reply and proof that it was delivered.
4. If the landlord nonetheless applies to the tenant board, prepare your case.

The tenant board examines whether the increase corresponds to the general rent development in the area and whether any improvement actually justifies a higher rent. Silence is not the same as acceptance, but a written objection strengthens your position.

What the tenant board assesses

Gotland's tenant board looks at, among other things:

• The rent level for comparable apartments in Visby and on Gotland
• Whether the apartment has been improved and whether that improvement raises the utility value
• Whether the landlord followed the correct written procedure
• Whether the new rent would be unreasonably high compared with similar apartments
• Whether the increase follows the general rent development on the island

If the tenant board rejects the landlord's application, the rent remains at the old level and the landlord cannot charge you the higher amount.

If the tenant board approves the increase

If the board approves the higher rent, it applies from the month shift closest after three months from the application date, but never earlier than six months after the previous rent started to apply. You then pay the new rent from that date. If the board sets a lower rent than the landlord asked for, you pay the approved level from the same date.

Practical tips for tenants in Visby

• Save all rent payment receipts and bank transfers.
• Document the condition of the apartment when you moved in, with photos if possible.
• If you are unsure whether the increase is justified, contact the Gotland Tenant Association before you reply.
• A written objection is your right — silence is not the same as acceptance.
• Check whether the landlord actually carried out the improvements they cite as a reason for the increase.

Summary

Gotland's tenant board decides on rent increases for rental apartments in Visby and on Gotland. You do not have to accept every increase without comment. Object in writing, keep your documentation, and use the rules in Land Code 55 e § to protect yourself against retroactive increases. If the landlord applies to the board anyway, the case is examined on its merits — and you can still win.