Removal of furniture and junk: rules, cost and RUT

What does removal include?

Removal means that a company carries out, loads and takes away things you no longer want. It can be anything from a single sofa to clearing a whole house. Reputable companies sort what they collect so that as much as possible can be reused or recycled.

• Furniture, household appliances and electronics
• Bulky waste from storage rooms, lofts and basements
• Clearing estates
• Items going to second-hand shops, for sale or for reuse
• Garden waste

Rules for transporting waste

Anyone who transports waste on a commercial basis must normally hold a permit or have submitted a notification to the county administrative board (länsstyrelsen), depending on the type and amount of waste. Ask the company which permit or notification it has, and feel free to check this with the county administrative board.

Hazardous waste, such as leftover paint, solvents, chemicals, batteries and certain electronic components, is subject to stricter rules. It may only be transported by someone with the right permit and must be delivered to a facility authorised to receive it. Ask specifically how the company handles such waste, or take it to the municipal collection point yourself.

Municipalities are also responsible for household waste, and there may be local regulations. Contact your municipality if you are unsure what applies where you live.

Why you should choose a reputable company

When you hire a company for removal, you want to be sure your belongings end up in the right place. Waste dumped in nature is an environmental crime and can in some cases be traced back. Be wary of very low prices, cash payment without a receipt and companies that cannot tell you where things will go. Ask for a receipt or documentation showing where the waste was delivered.

RUT deduction – only for certain parts

The RUT deduction for removal is limited, and the rules are easy to misunderstand. According to the Swedish Tax Agency, transporting your household goods for sale or reuse can count as a moving service and qualify for RUT. Taking junk or old furniture to a recycling centre, tip or similar does not qualify for RUT.

In the garden, the work of gathering garden waste can qualify for RUT, but not the actual removal. Where the deduction applies, it is 50 % of the labour cost, and RUT and ROT together may not exceed SEK 75,000 per person per year, of which no more than SEK 50,000 may be ROT. Ask the company to break down the invoice clearly and check with the Swedish Tax Agency if you are unsure.

What affects the price?

The price is often set per cubic metre, per load or per hour. Ask for a quote and describe the amount and type of items, preferably with photos:

• Volume and weight
• Type of waste and how much needs sorting
• Fees at the waste facility, which are sometimes invoiced separately
• Carrying distance, stairs and vehicle access
• Hazardous waste or items that require special handling
• Whether anything can be sold or donated, which sometimes lowers the cost

What should the quote contain?

• What is to be collected and the estimated volume
• Price and how it is calculated, including tip fees
• Where items will be taken: reuse, sale, recycling or landfill
• How hazardous waste is handled
• A breakdown of costs that do and do not qualify for RUT
• Details of the permit or notification for transporting waste

Common mistakes

Common mistakes are choosing the cheapest operator without asking where things will go, counting on RUT for the whole job, and including hazardous waste without saying so. Another mistake is not setting aside items that could be sold or donated, which is both better for the environment and can make the job cheaper.

Removal via Fixtorget

Describe what needs to be removed, preferably with photos, for free on Fixtorget. Up to four vetted companies can get in touch. Ask in the chat about the permit for transporting waste, and ask for a cost specification that shows what is included.

Frequently asked questions