Credit checks: how it works in Sweden
Full sentences explaining credit checks, unpaid bills, payment defaults and loans in Sweden.
Swedish credit is a chain: a bill, a reminder, debt collection, then the Enforcement Authority and a record that follows you for years. These sentences walk the chain in order and end with how to stay out of it.
- 1
Hyresvärden vill göra en kreditupplysning innan vi skriver kontrakt.
The landlord wants to do a credit check before we sign the contract.
Tip: No article before 'contract' in this fixed phrase.
- 2
Du får ett brev varje gång någon tar en kreditupplysning på dig.
You get a letter every time someone runs a credit check on you.
Tip: This copy to you is required by law.
- 3
Jag betalade fakturan för sent och fick en påminnelseavgift.
I paid the invoice late and got a reminder fee.
Tip: lit. 'too late'.
- 4
Om du inte betalar en räkning kan den gå vidare till inkasso.
If you don't pay a bill, it can go on to debt collection.
Tip: After the if-clause, the main verb comes before its subject.
- 5
Ett inkassokrav ska man aldrig ignorera.
You should never ignore a debt collection demand.
Tip: The object is put first for emphasis; 'one' is the subject.
- 6
Om skulden inte betalas kan ärendet hamna hos Kronofogden.
If the debt isn't paid, the case can end up with the Enforcement Authority.
Tip: A passive formed with -s; 'case' here means a file or matter.
- 7
Får du ett betalningsföreläggande måste du svara inom den tid som står i brevet.
If you get a payment order, you must reply within the time stated in the letter.
Tip: Starting with the verb is a common way to say 'if'.
- 8
Om du inte håller med om skulden kan du bestrida den.
If you don't agree with the debt, you can dispute it.
Tip: lit. 'hold with about'; the second verb is formal, the word on the official form.
- 9
Med en betalningsanmärkning är det svårt att få lån eller mobilabonnemang.
With a payment default it's hard to get a loan or a phone contract.
Tip: After a fronted phrase the verb comes before the dummy subject.
- 10
Många hyresvärdar godtar inte sökande med betalningsanmärkningar.
Many landlords don't accept applicants with payment defaults.
Tip: The verb is used for accepting applicants, offers and excuses.
- 11
Anmärkningen försvinner inte bara för att du betalar skulden.
The record doesn't disappear just because you pay the debt.
Tip: A common misunderstanding worth knowing.
- 12
Någon hade handlat på faktura i mitt namn.
Someone had bought things on invoice in my name.
Tip: Identity fraud is a real cause of surprise records.
- 13
Banken vill se att du har en fast inkomst.
The bank wants to see that you have a regular income.
Tip: lit. 'a fixed income'.
- 14
Banken gör en kalkyl för att se om du har råd med lånet.
The bank does a calculation to see if you can afford the loan.
Tip: lit. 'have means with'; the usual way to say afford.
- 15
Det kan vara svårare att få bolån om man är visstidsanställd.
It can be harder to get a mortgage if you're on a fixed-term contract.
Tip: lit. 'certain-time employed'.
- 16
Banken avslog min låneansökan utan att förklara varför.
The bank turned down my loan application without explaining why.
Tip: 'Without -ing' needs an infinitive with a marker in Swedish.
- 17
Lånet beviljades, men räntan var högre än jag trodde.
The loan was approved, but the interest was higher than I thought.
Tip: A past passive formed with -s.
- 18
Jämför räntor innan du tar ett lån.
Compare interest rates before you take out a loan.
Tip: lit. 'before you take a loan'.
- 19
Undvik sms-lån, de blir snabbt dyra.
Avoid payday loans, they quickly get expensive.
Tip: The adjective takes the plural ending.
- 20
Ett kreditkort är inga gratis pengar.
A credit card isn't free money.
Tip: Money is plural in Swedish, so 'no' takes its plural form.
- 21
Lägg upp autogiro så att du aldrig missar en betalning.
Set up direct debit so you never miss a payment.
Tip: The bank's automatic monthly payment system.
- 22
Om du inte kan betala, kontakta företaget så snart som möjligt.
If you can't pay, contact the company as soon as possible.
Tip: lit. 'as soon as possible', word for word.
- 23
Man kan ofta få en avbetalningsplan om man frågar.
You can often get a payment plan if you ask.
Tip: lit. 'an off-payment plan'.
- 24
Kommunen kan hjälpa dig med budget- och skuldrådgivning.
The municipality can help you with budget and debt advice.
Tip: The hyphen means both words share the same ending.
- 25
Den som har stora skulder kan ansöka om skuldsanering hos Kronofogden.
People with large debts can apply for debt relief from the Enforcement Authority.
Tip: lit. 'the one who has big debts'.
- 26
Kronofogden kan ta pengar direkt från lönen.
The Enforcement Authority can take money straight from your salary.
Tip: Swedish says 'the salary' rather than 'your salary'.
- 27
Mina föräldrar fick stå som borgensmän när jag hyrde min första lägenhet.
My parents had to be guarantors when I rented my first flat.
Tip: Here the verb that usually means 'get' means 'had to'.
- 28
Du kan beställa en kreditupplysning på dig själv för att se vad som står.
You can order a credit report on yourself to see what it says.
Tip: When 'what' is the subject, Swedish adds an extra little word after it.
- 29
Jag har aldrig haft någon betalningsanmärkning, och så ska det förbli.
I've never had a payment default, and it's going to stay that way.
Tip: lit. 'and so shall it remain'.