Why register?

Real property is the most important capital asset in Sweden. The fundamental purpose of property and land registration in Sweden is to establish certainty of ownership and rights to land. Other important purposes are to facilitate the transfer of land and other land-related activities and to provide easy access to information about land for various land management activities.  The contents of the Register are guaranteed by the government, with provisions for compensation in case of losses suffered under certain condition.

The Register contains information about the properties in Sweden, for example, information about who owns a specific property and the various rights related to the property. A right entered in the  register strengthens the protection for the right. Registration means, among other things, to ensure that the right can be enforced even against the new owner of the encumbered property. The Register has a high degree of reliability.

The Swedish system for land registration is in essence very similar to the Torrens system, but without any title documents being produced by the registration authorities. It is compulsory for all new owners of real property or site leases to register their title. Lantmäteriet can if registration of ownership is not applied for within the prescribed time, set a contingent fine for completion of the duty of registration.

If an owner wants to mortgage their property registration in the Register is necessary. In Sweden mortgaging starts with that owner applies to Lantmäteriet for a mortgage on a certain amount. If the application is in order the owner got a certificate on the amount. The owner can thereafter take the certificate and leave the certificate as a security for a loan from a mortgage lender. When debt has been paid the certificate is returned to the owner.

A holder of a right of use granted by agreement, or of an easement or right to electrical power granted by agreement may also apply for title registration in the Register. This registration is not compulsory, but gives the holder a guarantee that the right is protected if the ownership of the encumbered property is transferred.