Tenant Fined for Illegally Tapping Electricity from Common Area

A man residing in a multi-family building in Linköping has been found guilty of illegally diverting electricity from a communal outlet, resulting in a one-month prison sentence. The incident began when the 44-year-old tenant moved into his apartment in 2022, where household electricity was not included in the rent, prompting him to set up his own energy contract.

After the energy company raised its rates, the tenant became frustrated and refused to pay his bills, leading to the disconnection of his electricity supply in the fall of 2024. Following this, he claimed to have received permission from his landlord to draw power from the shared staircase outlet. However, the landlord has categorically denied granting any such permission.

The tenant's actions involved running extension cords from his apartment through the stairwell and past a lift door to connect to the communal electricity supply. He sometimes used multiple extension cords to reach his apartment. In a note posted in the stairwell, he asserted that he had an agreement with the landlord allowing him to use the common outlets.

Despite the landlord's repeated requests to cease this practice, which posed serious fire risks, the tenant continued to draw electricity. The landlord warned him in several letters that if he did not stop, he would face eviction. When the landlord sealed the staircase outlets to prevent unauthorized usage, the tenant began connecting to an outlet in a utility room in the building's attic.

During police questioning, the tenant denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he had the landlord's permission. He stated that he had not opened the letters sent by the landlord, which outlined the legal implications of his actions.

Earlier this year, the Linköping District Court convicted the tenant of illegal energy diversion. The court highlighted that his claim of having received the landlord's approval seemed implausible, noting that if such permission had been granted, it would have been done in a manner ensuring safety.

In addition to the electricity theft charge, the tenant was also convicted of threatening a security officer. Reports indicate that the tenancy tribunal has now ordered his eviction from the apartment.