Do you live in social housing in Denmark and dream of swapping? You actually have a statutory right to do so. According to the Danish Social Housing Tenancy Act (almenlejeloven § 69), tenants in social housing can swap their home with another tenant — regardless of whether the other tenant lives in social or private housing. Your housing organisation must approve the swap unless there are compelling reasons to refuse. In this guide, we walk you through the rules, the process, and the key differences between KAB, 3B, DAB, and other major housing organisations.

Short answer: You have the right to swap your social housing under almenlejeloven § 69. You must have lived in the property for at least 3 years, and your housing organisation must approve the swap. The process typically takes 4–8 weeks.

The Legal Basis: Almenlejeloven § 69

The right to housing swap in social housing is regulated by almenlejeloven § 69 (the Danish Social Housing Tenancy Act). It is important to distinguish between:

Almenlejeloven § 69 — applies to social housing (KAB, 3B, DAB, etc.)
Lejeloven § 161 — applies to private rental housing

The rules are similar but differ in practice. Read more about the Tenancy Act and housing swap for the private side.

What Does the Law Say?

Almenlejeloven § 69 states that a tenant has the right to swap their home with a tenant of another property. The housing organisation can only oppose the swap if:

The landlord has reasonable grounds to oppose the swap
The departing tenant has not lived in the property for at least 3 years
The property will be occupied by more than 2 persons per habitable room after the swap
The landlord otherwise has reasonable grounds to oppose the specific swap

Source: Almenlejeloven § 69 and Boligselskabernes Landsforening (BL).

The 3-Year Rule: When Can You Swap?

The most discussed condition is the 3-year rule. You must have lived in your social housing for at least 3 consecutive years before you can swap. This counts from the date your tenancy agreement took effect.

Exceptions to the 3-Year Rule

There are a few situations where the 3-year requirement may be waived:

Family growth: If the family has grown and the home has become too small
Health reasons: Documented need for a different type of housing
Municipal referral: Special social considerations may apply

In practice, exceptions are rare, and most housing organisations enforce the 3-year rule strictly. Contact your housing organisation to ask if your situation qualifies.

The Application Process Step by Step

Here is how a housing swap works in social housing:

Find a swap partner — Use Byt og Flyt to find a tenant who wants to swap with you
Contact your housing organisation — Notify them in writing that you wish to swap. Include your swap partner's name and current address
Submit your application — Fill out the housing organisation's application form (most have a standard form)
The housing organisation processes the case — They check the 3-year requirement, rent payments, and any outstanding debts
Inspection — Both properties are typically inspected to assess condition and maintenance
Approval or rejection — You receive a written response. If rejected, you have the right to appeal
New tenancy agreements — Upon approval, new contracts are drawn up for both parties
Moving day — You agree on a joint takeover date

Read more about contracts for housing swaps for details on the legal documents.

What Can the Housing Organisation Refuse?

Your housing organisation can reject a housing swap if:

You have rent arrears or other debts to the housing organisation
You have received a payment demand or notice of termination
The property will become overcrowded (more than 2 persons per habitable room)
You do not meet the 3-year requirement
There are documented neighbour complaints or violations of house rules
The swap is deemed improper (e.g., pure speculation)

If you are refused, you have the right to appeal to the tenant complaints board (beboerklagenævnet). Read more about your rights as a tenant in a housing swap.

Timelines: How Long Does It Take?

Phase	Typical Duration
Find a swap partner	Varies (use Byt og Flyt)
Application and processing	2–4 weeks
Inspection	1–2 weeks
Approval and new contracts	1–2 weeks
Total process	4–8 weeks

Note that busy periods (e.g., summer) can extend processing times.

The Major Housing Organisations: Rules and Practices

KAB is Denmark's largest social housing administrator with over 60,000 properties in the Copenhagen metropolitan area.

Application: Via KAB's website or contact your local property office
3-year rule: Consistently enforced
Processing time: Typically 3–6 weeks
Note: KAB requires both parties to have a clean rent account. They also check for pending cases regarding house rules
Contact: kab-bolig.dk

3B (Housing Association 3B)

3B administers approximately 10,000 properties in Greater Copenhagen.

Application: Contact 3B's administration directly
3-year rule: Follows the legal requirement
Processing time: Typically 4–6 weeks
Note: 3B emphasises that the property should be handed over in good condition. They may require refurbishment before the swap is completed
Contact: 3b.dk

DAB administers over 50,000 properties across Denmark.

Application: Via DAB's customer portal or direct contact
3-year rule: Enforced in accordance with the law
Processing time: Typically 4–8 weeks
Note: DAB has a structured process with standard forms. They require documentation of both parties' housing history
Contact: dabbolig.dk

AAB (Workers' Cooperative Housing Association)

AAB has approximately 25,000 properties, primarily in Copenhagen and surrounding areas.

Application: Via AAB's website or by phone
3-year rule: Follows the legal provisions
Processing time: Typically 3–5 weeks
Note: AAB is generally accommodating towards housing swaps and has experience with the process. They offer guidance to tenants who wish to swap
Contact: aab.dk

Domea

Domea administers approximately 35,000 properties throughout Denmark.

Application: Via Domea's self-service portal or local operations office
3-year rule: Enforced as required by law
Processing time: Typically 4–6 weeks
Note: Domea has properties spread across the country, providing good opportunities for swaps between cities. They require both parties to sign a swap agreement
Contact: domea.dk

Yes! The Social Housing Tenancy Act does not prevent swaps between social and private rental housing. However, be aware of:

Both landlords must approve: Your housing organisation approves under almenlejeloven § 69, while the private landlord approves under lejeloven § 161
Different rules: The 3-year rule applies to the social housing side, while the private side may have other conditions
Contractual relationships: You take over the other tenant's contract — and vice versa

It is a good idea to start the process with both landlords simultaneously to avoid delays.

Checklist Before You Apply

Before submitting your application for a housing swap, make sure:

You have lived in your home for at least 3 years
You have no rent arrears
You have no pending cases regarding house rules
You have found a serious swap partner
You have inspected your swap partner's home
You have checked that the home suits your household size
You have contacted your housing organisation to learn about their specific requirements

Get Help Finding a Swap Partner

The hardest part of housing swapping is often finding the right swap partner. With Byt og Flyt, you can create a free listing for your social housing and search among other tenants who also want to swap. The platform matches you with relevant swap partners based on your preferences for area, size, and housing type — so you can quickly get started with the application process at your housing organisation.

Also read our guide on whether you will get permission from your landlord, so you are well prepared.

Housing Swap in Social Housing: The Complete Guide to KAB, 3B, and DAB

Housing Swap in Social Housing: The Complete Guide to KAB, 3B, and DAB

The Legal Basis: Almenlejeloven § 69

What Does the Law Say?

The 3-Year Rule: When Can You Swap?

Exceptions to the 3-Year Rule

The Application Process Step by Step

What Can the Housing Organisation Refuse?

Timelines: How Long Does It Take?

The Major Housing Organisations: Rules and Practices

3B (Housing Association 3B)

AAB (Workers' Cooperative Housing Association)

Domea

Checklist Before You Apply

Get Help Finding a Swap Partner

Related articles

Landlord Refuses Housing Swap? How to File a Complaint With the Rent Board

What Happens to Your Deposit During a Housing Swap?

Swapping Cooperative Housing in Denmark: Rules, Board Approval and Maximum Price

The Legal Basis: Almenlejeloven § 69

What Does the Law Say?

The 3-Year Rule: When Can You Swap?

Exceptions to the 3-Year Rule

The Application Process Step by Step

What Can the Housing Organisation Refuse?

Timelines: How Long Does It Take?

The Major Housing Organisations: Rules and Practices

KAB (Copenhagen Social Housing Company)

3B (Housing Association 3B)

DAB (Danish Social Housing Company)

AAB (Workers' Cooperative Housing Association)

Domea

Can You Swap Social Housing for Private Rental?

Checklist Before You Apply

Get Help Finding a Swap Partner

Related articles

Landlord Refuses Housing Swap? How to File a Complaint With the Rent Board

What Happens to Your Deposit During a Housing Swap?

Swapping Cooperative Housing in Denmark: Rules, Board Approval and Maximum Price