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Housing · Sweden
Updated September 2026

🤝 A dispute with my neighbour is getting out of hand — who can help?

Direct answer

Most neighbour conflicts — hedges, parking, smells, children, a dog — never need a lawyer; they need a third person in the room. Medlingsinstitutet / kommunens medling / Hyresgästföreningen (hyresgastforeningen.se) offers free or cheap neighbourhood mediation in Sweden and settles most cases in one or two sessions. If the problem is a rule being broken (building, noise, waste, boundaries), Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskydd (skr.se) enforces it. If it has become threats, damage or harassment, Polisen — anmälan (114 14) — report it, with a log.

Call firstMedlingsinstitutet / kommunens medling / Hyresgästföreningen
Report toKommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskydd
If that failsPolisen — anmälan

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] we have a conflict with our neighbours at [address] about [issue]. Talking directly has not worked. We would like to try mediation and ask you to contact them and propose a meeting."

🪜 Step by step

  1. One calm conversationIn person, daytime, about one concrete thing. Many neighbours do not know they are a problem.
  2. Keep a logDates, times, what happened, witnesses, photos. Facts calm everyone down, including you.
  3. Mediation: Medlingsinstitutet / kommunens medling / HyresgästföreningenNeutral, confidential, free or cheap. The agreement is written down and usually holds.
  4. Rules broken: Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskyddThe municipality handles boundary, building, waste and nuisance rules; it can inspect and order.
  5. Threats or damage: Polisen — anmälanReport with the log. Harassment is a crime; an official report often stops it on its own.

📇 All contacts

Medlingsinstitutet / kommunens medling / HyresgästföreningenNeighbour and tenancy mediationFor neighbour disputes🔗 www.hyresgastforeningen.se
Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskyddNuisances, streets, waste, permits, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 skr.se/skr/tjanster/kommunerochregioner.html
Polisen — anmälanPolice report online or via 114 14Always — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 114 14🔗 polisen.se/utsatt-for-brott/polisanmalan
Rättshjälpsmyndigheten / rättsskydd i hemförsäkringenLegal aid on low income; legal-expenses cover via home insuranceWhen you cannot afford a lawyer📞 060 13 46 00🔗 www.rattshjalp.se

❓ Frequently asked

Is mediation binding?

The signed agreement is a contract. If it is broken, you have a much stronger case at the municipality or in court.

My neighbour refuses mediation

The mediator will invite them twice. A refusal noted in writing helps you later; some countries require a mediation attempt before court.

Can I go to court instead?

Yes, but it is slow and poisons the relationship. Courts in many countries send neighbour cases to mediation first anyway.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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