Illegal Subletting and Bed Bugs – Forced to Sell Condominium

For several years, the condominium association struggled with bed bugs. The problem is believed to have worsened because a resident was subletting his apartment illegally, and now the man is losing his home.

Last fall, the condominium association in Malmö turned to the district court, demanding that the man vacate the property. They referred to the fact that he had sublet his apartment without permission. Bed bugs were also found in the apartment, something he failed to inform the board about as early as he should have.

The man’s apartment was described as an “epicenter apartment” that allowed the bed bug problem to persist, and the warning had been ignored.

“The board has observed that you have not only rented out the apartment to one person, but several different people have stayed there at various times, and enormous and costly problems have emerged with bed bugs in the apartment,” the board wrote in a warning last fall seen by Hem & Hyra.

The costs for the extermination were not covered by the association’s insurance. Even though the man’s apartment was identified as the source of the problem, he refused to pay.

Denies the Allegations

Exterminators entering the apartment found mattresses on the floor and new residents with each visit, which was taken as evidence of illegal subletting. The extermination company stated that this was a risk factor that contributed to the spread.

The man claims he has conducted himself properly and denies accusations of illegal subletting. Nevertheless, he is now being forced to sell the apartment and must pay SEK 67,000 in compensation to the association. If he has not sold the home and moved out within six months, the association can sue him again.