How late can you drill or do DIY in an apartment in Sweden?
House rules, examples from HSB associations and the duty not to disturb neighbours.
Short answer
Drilling hours in a Swedish apartment are set by your building's house rules, because the tenancy law says nothing about when it must be quiet, according to Hyresgästföreningen. HSB associations differ: Brf Tanto allows drilling on weekdays 07:00 to 19:00, Brf Gösen 07:00 to 20:00, and both 10:00 to 17:00 at weekends.
Why
- Hyresgästföreningen says nothing in the tenancy law states when it must be quiet, and that most landlords have house rules (trivselregler) that they want tenants to follow.
- HSB's Brf Tanto allows drilling and other noisy tools on weekdays 07:00 to 19:00 and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00 to 17:00, and asks for extra consideration from 22:00 to 06:00.
- HSB's Brf Gösen allows repairs and drilling on weekdays 07:00 to 20:00 except Fridays, when it ends at 17:00, and 10:00 to 17:00 on weekends and public holidays, with night rest from 22:00 to 07:00.
Details
Göteborgs Stad's disturbance service says the duty not to disturb neighbours applies at any hour and asks for extra care late in the evening, including for drilling, nailing and banging. Its hours of 20:00 to 03:00 are when it responds to acute disturbances, not hours when noise is banned. Hyresgästföreningen says the main rule is that you must not disturb other tenants, day or night. For general etiquette, see culture and basics in Sweden.
Tip
Ask the landlord or board for the written house rules before you start, and tell neighbours about bigger jobs: Brf Tanto advises posting a notice in the entrance before renovating.
What may differ
Hours differ between buildings and between weekdays and weekends. Both HSB associations above allow 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, so Sunday drilling is possible within those hours there, but another building's rules may say otherwise.
Common misconception
There is a nationwide quiet time in Sweden, such as 22:00, after which drilling is illegal.
What actually happens
Hyresgästföreningen says nothing in the tenancy law states when it must be quiet. Night-rest hours such as 22:00 to 07:00 in HSB's Brf Gösen are the house rules of one association.
People also ask
- What time can you drill in an apartment in Sweden?
- Can you drill on Sundays in Sweden?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check your house rules or ask your landlord before you drill.
Apartments and residential complexes in StockholmRelated questions
-
What is allemansrätten and what are the basic rules?
Allemansrätten is the Swedish right to be in nature, even on land owned by someone else, as long as you do not disturb and do not destroy.
-
What is the difference between snus and nicotine pouches?
Snus contains tobacco, while nicotine pouches (white snus) are products without tobacco that contain nicotine, and the two are covered by different Swedish laws.
-
Can you be punished in Sweden for using cannabis abroad?
Swedish courts can try Swedish citizens and residents for crimes committed abroad, but only if the act is also punishable in the country where it took place.
-
Are pickpockets a problem in Stockholm?
Brå recorded 16,611 reported pickpocketing offences in Sweden in 2025, 13 percent fewer than in 2024, and the UK government warns that pickpockets often target tourists in major cities.