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Swedish apartment prices continue to fall

Flat prices fell by 4 percent in Sweden in June compared to the previous month, according to fresh figures from Sweden’s real estate statistics website Mäklarstatistik. This marks the third month in a row that flat prices have fallen in Sweden. However, house prices still remain unchanged.

Published: 14 July 2011 10:58 CEST

Swedish apartment prices continue to fall

But according to Peter Pütsep, CEO of real estate agents Svensk Fastighetsförmedling, it is too early to tell if this is a season-based drop or a lasting trend of the market.

“It is a drop, but we tend to be careful when we are talking about a single month during the summer. We’ll see in a month or so where we are heading,” he said to news agency TT.

The drop seems to have affected Malmö, in the south, worst, with flat prices down 9 percent between May and June.

But according to Pütsep this is normal, with fluctuations more violent there than in larger cities like Gothenburg or Stockholm, partly because there are less flats but also because newly built properties can affect the market prices.

In central Stockholm and central Gothenburg prices fell by 2 percent in the same period.

How the market will develop in the near future is hard to predict, according to Pütsep.

Many factors could affect prices, including the rising interest rates, the mortgage cap and the financial development. There are also growing clouds on the horizon in the shape of the mounting debt in Europe and the US.

When the market seems unstable many customers tend to wait and see what happens, and according to Pütsep realtors across the country have noticed that it takes longer to sell than previous months.

The number of flats sold during the second quarter of 2011 was 17,156, approximately 1,100 less than the same periods last year. 11,241 detached houses were sold in the same time, a rise by 600 compared to last year.

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How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover.

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract.

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs.

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases.

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work.

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim.

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued.

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster).

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out.

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

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