---
title: "Can You Deduct Your Electricity Bill from the Rent When Subletting?"
author: "Esther Asmundsson"
authorUrl: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/authors/EstherAsmundsson"
datePublished: "2026-09-05T13:44:21.449Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-05T15:23:51.452Z"
description: "No, you cannot deduct your electricity bill from the rent when subletting. Learn the rules for electricity in subletting contracts and what applies to you."
keywords: ["deduct electricity from rent subletting", "electricity bill subletting", "electricity in subletting contract", "subletting electricity agreement", "rent and electricity subletting"]
categories: ["Guides", "Landlord"]
canonical: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/can-you-deduct-the-electricity-bill-from-the-rent-when-subletting"
language: "en"
image: "https://bofrid.media/cms/6ac787dcdb245f59567ffc3d9afeb9c96e44aa2d.webp"
---

# Can You Deduct Your Electricity Bill from the Rent When Subletting?

No, you cannot deduct your electricity bill from the rent when subletting – electricity is a separate cost that you as a subtenant pay yourself, unless otherwise expressly agreed. Rent and electricity are two distinct obligations: you pay rent according to the tenancy agreement, and electricity according to your electricity contract, and you cannot offset one against the other on your own. If you are instead the one subletting, the answer is the same but for a different reason – the Swedish Tax Agency's (Skatteverket) standard deduction is already intended to cover running costs such as electricity, so there is no separate deduction item for the electricity bill.

## What applies to electricity in subletting contracts?

In subletting, it is common for the landlord (the first-hand tenant or the tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt) holder) to charge a flat-rate amount for electricity, or for electricity to be included in the rent. But if you as a subtenant have your own electricity contract – either by signing an agreement in your own name or by paying the electricity bill directly to the supplier – then that cost is your own. You cannot offset it against the rent.

The exception is if the landlord has undertaken to cover electricity in the contract. Then electricity is part of the rent, and if electricity is not supplied (for example, during a power outage), you may in some cases be entitled to a rent reduction, but that is a different matter.

## What does the law say about electricity and rent in subletting?

The main rule in Chapter 12, Section 19 of the Swedish Land Code (jordabalken) is that the rent for a residential flat shall be fixed in amount in the tenancy agreement. The same section makes an explicit exception for compensation for costs relating to the heating, cooling, hot water and electric current of the flat, as well as charges for water and sewage – such compensation may thus be charged in addition to the fixed rent, for example based on individual metering. In other words, the law allows electricity to be outside the rent; it does not give you any right to deduct your electricity bill from the rent. If you have your own electricity contract, you are the contracting party with the electricity company and obliged to pay for your consumption, and the rent must be paid in the amount stated in the tenancy agreement.

However, there is an important difference between having electricity included in the rent and having it as a separate cost. If the landlord has said that "electricity is included in the rent" and then demands that you pay an extra electricity bill, that is a breach of contract on the landlord's part. In that case, you may have the right to claim back what you have paid, but you cannot simply deduct it from the rent yourself.

## How electricity contracts work in subletting

In subletting, there are two common arrangements:

1. **Electricity is included in the rent** – The landlord has their own electricity contract and charges a higher rent to cover electricity. Then you have no electricity bill of your own, and you cannot make any deduction.
2. **You have your own electricity contract** – You sign an agreement in your own name, or you are registered on the meter. Then you pay electricity separately, and the rent is often lower.

If you have your own electricity contract, it is important to read the meter at move-in and move-out, so that you do not pay for previous tenants' consumption. It is also important to notify the electricity company that you are moving in, so that you do not end up with a bill for someone else's electricity.

## Can you demand a rent reduction due to electricity costs?

No, high electricity costs do not give you the right to reduce the rent. The rent is regulated in the contract, and you cannot unilaterally change it. If you consider the rent unreasonable, you can turn to the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden) to have it reviewed, but that concerns the size of the rent itself, not the electricity cost.

However, you may be entitled to a rent reduction if the flat is not in the condition agreed, for example if the electricity does not work or if there is no heating. In that case, it is a matter of a defect in the flat, not the electricity cost itself. Read more about when you can get your rent back due to lack of heating in our article about [the heating being turned off](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/can-i-get-my-rent-back-if-the-heating-is-switched-off).

## What applies to tenant-owned flats (bostadsrätter) in subletting?

If you sublet your tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt), you are the landlord, and the question becomes in practice a tax matter. You cannot deduct the electricity bill as a separate item in your tax return: according to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), you may make a standard deduction of at most 40,000 SEK per dwelling and year from the rental income, and the standard deduction is precisely intended to cover increased running costs such as electricity, insurance and wear and tear. In addition to the standard deduction, you may deduct the fee you yourself pay to the tenant-owners' association (bostadsrättsförening) for the rented-out part and for the rental period – but not the electricity bill separately. If you sublet a rental flat, the corresponding deduction is the rent you yourself pay for the rented-out part.

However, you can charge a higher rent to cover electricity, if you have electricity included in the contract. It is important, though, that you follow the rules for reasonable rent, which you can read more about in our guide on [reasonable rent](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/rental-levels-2026-guide-to-reasonable-rent-for-bostadsratt-and-how-to-calculate-capital-costs-i).

For tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt) holders, there are also special rules for subletting, which you can read about in our article on [new rules for subletting tenant-owned flats](https://bofrid.com/en/articles/sweden-s-second-hand-rental-market-2026-new-rules-for-renting-out-your-cooperative-apartment-you).

## Table: Electricity in subletting – who pays what?

| Scenario | Who pays for electricity? | Can you deduct from the rent? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electricity is included in the rent | The landlord | No, electricity is already paid via the rent |
| You have your own electricity contract | You | No, you pay electricity separately |
| The landlord demands extra payment for electricity despite it being included | The landlord | No – instead, claim back what you have overpaid |
| Electricity is disconnected due to a fault the landlord is responsible for | The landlord | No – but you can claim a rent reduction for the fault |

## Frequently asked questions

**Can you deduct electricity from the rent in subletting if you have your own electricity contract?**

No, if you have your own electricity contract, you are obliged to pay electricity separately. You cannot deduct it from the rent, because the rent is a separate cost for the accommodation itself.

**Can the landlord demand that I pay for electricity afterwards if it is included in the rent?**

No, if electricity is included in the rent, it is the landlord's cost. If the landlord demands extra payment for electricity, that is a breach of contract, and you can claim the money back.

**What happens if the electricity is disconnected in the flat?**

If the electricity is disconnected due to a fault the landlord is responsible for, you may be entitled to a rent reduction. However, this is not about deducting the electricity bill, but about a defect in the flat.

**Do I have to pay for electricity if I move in mid-month?**

You should only pay for the electricity you actually consume. If you have your own electricity contract, you should read the meter at move-in and notify the electricity company, so that you do not pay for previous tenants' consumption.

## Summary

You cannot deduct the electricity bill from the rent when subletting, regardless of whether you have your own electricity contract or electricity is included in the rent. Rent and electricity are two separate costs, and you cannot offset them against each other. If you are subletting, electricity is instead covered by the standard deduction of 40,000 SEK. If you have questions about your rent or your electricity contract, contact the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden) or a legal advisor, and for tax matters, the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

*This text is general information and not legal advice. For specific questions, contact the Rent Tribunal (Hyresnämnden) or a lawyer.*