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Purchase agreement between private individuals

When you buy or sell something privately, the Sale of Goods Act (köplagen) applies, and what you write in the agreement takes precedence over the rules in the law. A purchase agreement (köpeavtal) shows what is included, what condition the item is in and how payment will work.

A seller showing a boat's engine to a buyer with a purchase agreement on a jetty in the archipelago

Who it is for

For you if you are buying or selling a car, a boat, a caravan or another item from another private individual. If you buy from a company, the Consumer Sales Act (konsumentköplagen) applies instead.

How we help you

We go through the purchase with you: what is being sold, what comes with it, the price and how payment and handover will work. Then we write the purchase agreement so that both the buyer and the seller know what they have promised.

The condition is often what you need to be clearest about. An item sold "as is" (i befintligt skick) can still be considered defective if the seller has given incorrect information about it, if the seller has kept quiet about something important that they must have known about, or if the item is in significantly worse condition than the buyer could expect. That is why we write down what the seller has said and what the buyer has been able to inspect before the purchase.

If the buyer needs to borrow money from the seller for the purchase, the terms can also be written in a promissory note (skuldebrev).

The Sale of Goods Act in brief

The agreement comes first.The rules in the law only apply to the extent that you have not agreed otherwise.
Inspection.If the buyer inspected the item before the purchase, they cannot rely on defects they should have noticed then, unless the seller has acted against good faith and fair dealing.
Complaints.The buyer must report a defect within a reasonable time after noticing it, and as a main rule no later than two years after receiving the item.
The risk.The risk for the item passes to the buyer when it is handed over in line with the agreement.

What is included

5 items
  • A review of the purchase and what should be included
  • A description of the item and its condition
  • Terms for payment and handover
  • What applies if there are defects
  • A purchase agreement ready to sign

What is not included

3 items
  • Purchases of a house, a plot or a tenant-owned flat (bostadsrätt)
  • Purchases from a companyThe Consumer Sales Act applies then.
  • Disputes about a purchase that has already been madeIf you want help with that, you get a separate quote.

What you need to have ready

4 items
  • Names of the buyer and the seller
  • What is being sold and what comes with it
  • The price and how it will be paid
  • What the seller has said about the condition

Good to know

We write purchase agreements for movable property (lös egendom) between private individuals under Swedish law. If the buyer or the seller lives abroad, or the purchase concerns something we cannot assess, we tell you before we take on the assignment.

How it works

  1. 1Send an enquiry. Tell us in the form what is being bought or sold.
  2. 2You get a quote. We normally contact you within one working day and tell you what is included and what it costs.
  3. 3We write the purchase agreement. We go through the purchase with you and write the agreement based on what you have agreed.
  4. 4You get the agreement. Online or at the office, ready to sign with the other party.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Sale of Goods Act apply when I buy from a private individual?
Yes. The Sale of Goods Act applies to purchases of movable property, but not when the Consumer Sales Act applies. The Consumer Sales Act applies when you, as a consumer, buy from a business.
Is it enough to write "as is"?
No, not always. The item can still be defective if the seller has given incorrect information, has kept quiet about something significant, or if it is in significantly worse condition than the buyer could expect.
How long can the buyer complain about defects?
The buyer must make a complaint within a reasonable time after noticing the defect, and as a main rule no later than two years after receiving the item. If the seller has been grossly negligent or has acted against good faith and fair dealing, those limits do not apply.
Does the purchase agreement have to be in writing?
No, a purchase of an item is valid even if you have only agreed verbally. A written agreement makes it easier to show what you agreed if something goes wrong.
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Send an enquiry

Tell us briefly about your matter and we will normally get back to you within one working day with a quote before we start.

  • The enquiry and quote are free
  • You only pay once you have accepted the quote
  • Meetings at the office or online

About: Purchase agreement

Private or business?

Do not write personal identity numbers, passport numbers or other sensitive details here. If we need such documents, you hand them in at the office or send copies by post.

Sources (3)

  1. Sale of Goods Act (1990:931) (köplagen), sections 1, 3, 4, 13, 19, 20, 32 and 33
  2. Consumer Sales Act (2022:260) (konsumentköplagen), Chapter 1, section 1
  3. Act (1915:218) on Contracts and Other Legal Acts in the Field of Property Law (avtalslagen), section 1

The information was checked against the sources on 27 October 2026.