What is an attefallshus?

An Attefallshus is a type of building that may be erected without a building permit on plots with existing residential houses, as long as certain rules are followed. These small and versatile houses, which may be a maximum of 30 square meters in size, have become a popular choice for those seeking extra living space on the plot – whether it's a guest cottage, home office, or rental opportunity.

Why should one build an Attefallshus?

Building an Attefallshus has many advantages. One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility of having separate living areas that can be used for many different purposes. The house can be used as separate accommodation for grown children, a place for relaxation, or even a home office. Many also choose to build to rent it out, thereby getting extra income. In addition to offering more space, it can also increase the property's value.

What rules apply?

There are specific rules for Attefallshus that must be followed to avoid requiring a building permit. The house may be a maximum of 30 square meters and the roof height must not exceed 4 meters. The building must be placed at least 4.5 meters from the property boundary unless the neighbor gives their consent. It is also important that the house is not used as a permanent residence unless it meets the requirements for a complementary dwelling.

Uses

• Guest cottage: An excellent solution when you have guests or family visiting but not enough space in the house.

• Home office: A separate and quiet workspace on the plot.

• Rental: Rent out for increased income via platforms like Airbnb

• Hobby room or studio: A private space for creative projects or hobbies.

The versatility it offers makes it an attractive investment, whether for personal use or to create an additional source of income.

Tip! Read our article about Karin and her family's Attefallshus that serves both as an office and favorite place on earth.

How does the process work when buying an Attefallshus?

1. Planning and needs analysis

Start by thinking through which features you want. Do you want the option to cook in the house or is it better to maximize the number of sleeping places? Do you want a loft and how much storage do you need? If you will use the house year-round it may be good to consider heating for the house.

How large can the house be? The building area may be a maximum of 30 sqm. What does the plot look like, do you need to relate to other buildings and neighbours?

2. Choosing a supplier

When you have a clear picture of your needs the next step is to choose a supplier. There are several companies that specialize in Attefallshus and Sommarnöjen, which is one of them, offering, for example, turnkey and architect-designed variants with a focus on Scandinavian design and sustainable materials.

Many companies deliver building kits that require a lot of work on site. This can be cost-effective if you want to do part of the work yourself but you can also hire local craftsmen to assemble the kit. A simpler alternative is to buy the Attefallshuset as a modular house, where the house is built completely finished in a factory and then lifted onto your plot. It is gentle on the plot and requires less work on site.

At this stage it is also important to consider quality and materials. It is best to visit several different show houses to experience the difference.

3. Design and customization

After you have chosen a supplier you will go through the design or choice of model together. Many companies offer standard models that can be adapted to your wishes. First consider the orientation: where do you want the entrance, outdoor spaces, where is the view best and is there any part you want to protect from prying eyes?

Do you have other houses on the plot and are there specific regulations regarding exterior choices in the detailed development plan? Sometimes these govern the choice of façade and roof and sometimes you can choose completely freely.

Also consider interior material choices. If the area is small it can be good to have a common thread throughout the house. Sommarnöjen, for example, has interior styles where an interior designer has chosen every detail down to the smallest towel hook so that you as a customer can be confident that someone has thought of everything. The interior styles come in different looks that all provide a good base to fill with personal furnishings.

4. Building permits and approvals

Although Attefallshus do not require a building permit, a notification must be made to the municipality. The valuable thing about the rules is not the exemption from building permits itself, since building notifications often require drawings and documents as detailed as building permit applications.

The value is instead that they give the right to build one more house, even on properties that are fully built according to the detailed development plan. Therefore this is a particularly good opportunity for properties covered by a detailed plan that have already used their building rights. Here the houses, unlike houses requiring a building permit, can be placed on prickmark, which gives more options for placement. In addition the rules mean that Attefallshus are exempt from the detailed plan's restrictions, for example roof angle, roofing material and other design aspects.

Sound complicated? Some suppliers, including Sommarnöjen, offer help with this process and can advise on how and what you need to relate to in order to build what you want.

5. Production and delivery

When the design and all permits are in place production of your house begins. Depending on supplier and customizations this can take anything from a few weeks to a couple of months. The house is then delivered to your plot for installation.

6. Installation and final inspection

Finally the house is installed on your plot. After everything is in place a final inspection is carried out to ensure that your construction project has been executed professionally and that you have received everything you paid for.

Summary

An Attefallshus can therefore become a versatile and practical addition to your property that can be built without a building permit under certain conditions. With many different uses such as a guest cottage, home office or rental dwelling it offers both increased quality of life and potential income opportunities. Through a smooth purchase and construction process, which can be facilitated by specialized suppliers like Sommarnöjen, you can quickly realize your plans. It is not only a smart solution for extra space, but also a long-term investment in the value of your property.

Interested in buying?

Are you interested in buying an Attefallshus? At Sommarnöjen we help you make your housing dreams come true with high-quality and sustainable solutions. Contact us to find out more!