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”För en hyresvärd är ju inte en polis…” En rättsociologisk studie om hyresvärdars handlingsutrymme

Reiderstad, Elsa LU and Blom Henricson, Sanna LU (2025) RÄSK02 20251
Department of Sociology of Law
Abstract
This study aims to examine Swedish landlords’ discretion in relation to eviction of tenants who commit crimes. Recent amendment to Hyreslagen (12 Kap. Jordabalken), which increases landlords’ ability to terminate rental agreements due to tenants criminal activity has raised questions. While the legal change aims to strengthen landlords’ ability to maintain safety in their residential areas, its practical implementation remains complex.

A qualitative research approach has been applied, and the data material consists of semi-structured in-depth interviews. By conducting interviews with personnel involved in various aspects of the termination process, the study was able to present the scope of discretion and its underlying factors. This... (More)
This study aims to examine Swedish landlords’ discretion in relation to eviction of tenants who commit crimes. Recent amendment to Hyreslagen (12 Kap. Jordabalken), which increases landlords’ ability to terminate rental agreements due to tenants criminal activity has raised questions. While the legal change aims to strengthen landlords’ ability to maintain safety in their residential areas, its practical implementation remains complex.

A qualitative research approach has been applied, and the data material consists of semi-structured in-depth interviews. By conducting interviews with personnel involved in various aspects of the termination process, the study was able to present the scope of discretion and its underlying factors. This data was then analyzed through Lipsky’s (2010) theory on street-level bureaucracy with focus on his theoretical understanding of discretion. Discretion as a concept was also nuanced by recent findings in Swedish housing policy research. By using a thematic approach, the study found six themes and factors that affect landlords’ discretion.

This study concludes that the effectiveness of a legal amendment is not solely based on its formal content but also by the practical context of those applying it. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Reiderstad, Elsa LU and Blom Henricson, Sanna LU
supervisor
organization
course
RÄSK02 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
criminality, discretion, eviction, landlords, policy
language
Swedish
id
9206939
date added to LUP
2025-08-11 14:32:34
date last changed
2025-08-11 14:32:34
@misc{9206939,
  abstract     = {{This study aims to examine Swedish landlords’ discretion in relation to eviction of tenants who commit crimes. Recent amendment to Hyreslagen (12 Kap. Jordabalken), which increases landlords’ ability to terminate rental agreements due to tenants criminal activity has raised questions. While the legal change aims to strengthen landlords’ ability to maintain safety in their residential areas, its practical implementation remains complex.
 
A qualitative research approach has been applied, and the data material consists of semi-structured in-depth interviews. By conducting interviews with personnel involved in various aspects of the termination process, the study was able to present the scope of discretion and its underlying factors. This data was then analyzed through Lipsky’s (2010) theory on street-level bureaucracy with focus on his theoretical understanding of discretion. Discretion as a concept was also nuanced by recent findings in Swedish housing policy research. By using a thematic approach, the study found six themes and factors that affect landlords’ discretion. 
 
This study concludes that the effectiveness of a legal amendment is not solely based on its formal content but also by the practical context of those applying it.}},
  author       = {{Reiderstad, Elsa and Blom Henricson, Sanna}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{”För en hyresvärd är ju inte en polis…” En rättsociologisk studie om hyresvärdars handlingsutrymme}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}