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PROPERTY

Payment problems plague more Swedish homeowners

Despite record-low interest rates, an increasing number of Swedish homeowners are having trouble paying their debts, according to a new study.

Payment problems plague more Swedish homeowners

The number of homeowners who had been reported to Sweden’s Enforcement Agency (Kronofogden) due to delinquent debt payments rose by nearly 13 percent in September compared to the same month last year, Sveriges Television (SVT) reports.

The findings, taken from a report by the Soliditet, a credit information company, also show that the number of indebted Swedes registered with the agency continues to rise.

“Now we’re in a situation with historically low interest rates. The question is what happens in a situation when rates move up and unemployment continues to rise. Our assessment is that people who own property are going to have more difficulties paying their debts in the future,” Soliditet vice president Jonas Åkerman told SVT.

In September, around 363,000 people were registered with the company as having unpaid debts, an increase of 4.2 percent compared with September 2008.

Indebted Swedes now owe a total of 63.2 billion kronor ($9 billion), a 10 percent increase from last year.

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ESSENTIAL SWEDEN

Banks, bills and mortgages: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Wondering which banks give mortgages to foreigners, or what happens if you are struggling to pay a bill? Essential Sweden this week answers those questions and more.

Banks, bills and mortgages: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Interest rates may soon drop, but there’s still hope if you’re finding it hard to pay your mortgage each month.

Which bank should you use if you’re a recent arrival to Sweden? We asked our readers for their tips: here’s what they said,

We hope you never find yourself in the situation that you’re unable to pay a bill in Sweden, but it’s good to know what happens if you do, just in case.

Owning a second home is relatively commonplace in Sweden, and they often sell for under a million kronor in more remote areas. But what should you take into account when considering a purchase?

People who arrived in Sweden as adults often need to top up their pension savings, and one way to do this is via investments. What are the different types of investing and how do they work?

Finally, if you’re planning on buying a home any time soon, it’s worth knowing which banks require you to have permanent residency in Sweden before you apply for a mortgage. 

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