The difference between holiday homes and single-family houses under the regulations

Building or buying a holiday home is for many a long-awaited dream. It becomes a place for relaxation, time in nature and an opportunity to leave the everyday stress behind.  But when it's time to realize the dream, it's important to understand which rules apply. What is considered a holiday home, and how does it actually differ from a single-family house under the legislation? Here we go through the most important differences and what you need to consider when planning your new house.

What is a single-family house?

A single-family house is a residential building with at most two dwelling units. For example a villa, a semi-detached house or a terraced house. It is the legal term used for most dwellings intended for permanent residence. To be classed as a single-family house, the building must have the functions required for a home, such as a kitchen, sanitary facilities and sleeping places.

When you build a single-family house it must meet all the requirements set out in the Planning and Building Act as well as the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning's building regulations when it comes to, for example, insulation, energy management, ventilation and accessibility.

When is it considered a holiday home?

A holiday home is basically the same type of building as a single-family house, but the difference lies in how it is intended to be used. Holiday homes are built for temporary or seasonal residence, and therefore the standard requirements can be somewhat simpler.

There is no exact statutory definition of how much a holiday home may be used during the year. So you can live in your holiday home permanently if you want. But if you do, the municipality may require that the house be upgraded to meet the standard for permanent residence, for example better insulation and heating.

Rules to be aware of

The rules for building permits and detailed development plans generally apply to both holiday homes and single-family houses. In most cases you need a building permit, and the house must comply with the municipality's planning regulations regarding placement, height and design. If the holiday home is located outside a detailed development plan area, there may sometimes be a bit more flexibility, but the basic rules are the same.

For holiday homes there are some exceptions when it comes to building technical requirements. For example, there may be milder rules for accessibility and energy management. But bear in mind that if in the future you want to use the house year-round it is smart to build to permanent standards from the start. That saves both time and money if you avoid having to make major changes later on.

We help you realize your dream of a holiday home

Whether you dream of a simple summer house by the water or a well-equipped year-round house, we at Sommarnöjen can help you. Our holiday homes are created with natural materials, timeless design and functional solutions with nature and your lifestyle in focus.We guide you through the whole process. From the idea and building permit application to a turnkey holiday home on site.