Three, two, one – let the house hunt begin

Looking for a rental home – that’s something many people have experienced themselves, or they know someone who has. Depending on where you want to live, it can be quite a challenge. The fact that it’s more difficult in the larger cities probably doesn’t even need to be mentioned anymore – that’s just how it is, and how it has basically always been. But regardless of where you’re searching, there are a number of considerations and steps you can take before you begin. Unless you know someone who knows someone, the house hunt usually just starts behind the computer. Maybe even at the moment you’re reading this article?

Written by our internal copywriter. Senast uppdaterad: 20. november 2025

There are many things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a rental home. Because where do you start if you don’t know anyone who can help you? And how do you avoid getting scammed? In this article, we’ll answer those questions.

Before you begin searching, you first need to sort out a few things – five things, to be exact, that will make your search much more efficient:

Where would you like to live?
How long do you plan to stay there?
What type of home are you looking for? Apartment, house, or room?
What is your maximum monthly rent?
What is your budget for fixed expenses?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’re ready to start searching. But even that can be quite a broad concept – where do you begin? We have a few suggestions for you.

Network

If you are not moving to an entirely new city where you know no one, it’s always a good idea to activate your network. You never know if someone you know happens to know someone who is leaving their rental and can recommend you. Or perhaps someone knows something about one of the many waiting lists where you might get lucky.

Facebook

You can use Facebook in two ways. First, you can post a message explaining that you’re looking for a place to live and ask your network to share it. Maybe an old school friend sees the post and happens to know about a place you would otherwise never have found. Secondly, you can join one of the many Facebook groups focused on rental housing in the city where you’re searching. There, you can post your own message or respond to people looking for tenants.

Housing platforms

Housing platforms are a useful tool for finding a rental home because they gather many available properties in one place. You can refine your search based on price, location, size, and other preferences. That makes the process much more manageable.

Another helpful tool on housing platforms is the BostadsMatchar feature, which is completely free. You indicate what kind of properties you’re looking for, and you automatically receive an email as soon as a property goes online that matches your criteria.

You can also post a "Home Seeker" ad (also free), where you explain what you're looking for and tell a bit about yourself. Landlords can view these ads and contact you directly – that too is free.

Housing associations

If you don't have a strict deadline for when you need a home, you can also register with housing associations. They often have waiting lists, so don’t expect to get a home immediately. But if you’re patient, this can often be a way to find a place with a lower rent.

Parents buying a home

Of course, not all parents can just buy an “extra” property. But if it’s possible, your parents can act as the landlord. The house rules and rent can then be agreed upon between you.

These are some of the options you have when searching for a rental home. Another important thing to keep in mind during the house hunt is the risk of scams, which unfortunately occur from time to time.