Skip to content Skip to navigation
A sculpture at Ulrikedal
Long-term and responsible actor

A new perspective – cultural sustainability

For several years, AF Bostäder has worked in a strategic and target-oriented way on social, environmental and economic sustainability. Now, the company is introducing culture as an equal fourth perspective. The work started in 2024 with a newly written policy and a new strategy for cultural sustainability.

Three people in a corridor kitchen
For the students' best

Secure, affordable and fun – such is life on a corridor!

About half of AF Bostäder’s housing is corridor accommodation, a pleasant form of housing in which the students have their own room but share communal spaces with others. With careful management and a social perspective, AF Bostäder pays special attention to life on a corridor – a secure, affordable and fun kind of housing that is also a strong bearer of culture.

Two hands holding a mobile phone
Long-term and responsible actor

New platform for fine-tuned communication

AF Bostäder has started work on a revamp of its communication platform. The platform provides guidelines for how the company is to communicate in terms of target groups, messaging, typography, graphics, image selection etc. The aim is for AF Bostäder’s stakeholders, such as students, the media, the municipality and business community, to have a clear and consistent image of the company.

The Help-logo in Swedish
For the students' best

Help – now also available for alcohol and drugs

Alcohol has a big place in our culture, not least in student life where many also encounter other intoxicants. AF Bostäder has expanded its information initiative, Help, which previously focused on mental health problems, to also offer contact details for concerns relating to alcohol and drugs. And more subject areas are in the pipeline.

A group of students walking down the street
Long-term and responsible actor

New report shows positive picture of student housing availability

Being able to rapidly obtain pleasant and secure housing at a reasonable cost is an important factor when students are choosing where to study. Many people believe that it is difficult to find student housing in Lund. In a new joint report, three of Lund’s major student housing organisations show that the true picture is actually positive.

A girl has fallen asleep on the couch and something is cooking on the stove behind her
For the students' best

The importance of checking home insurance cover

Sometimes, students are unfortunately faced with considerable damage to their home. Without valid insurance, it can be expensive. AF Bostäder has therefore conducted a campaign to encourage students to take out a home insurance policy.

Sparta
Long-term and responsible actor

Careful maintenance secures Sparta’s future

Designed in accordance with the Academic Society’s and prize-winning architect Bengt Edman’s visions of a student city within the city, and just as much loved as hated for its brutalist architecture, Sparta is constantly one of AF Bostäder’s most popular student housing areas. Sparta is now undergoing a careful renovation, so it can remain standing strong for many years to come.

A wall with paintings
Sustainable housing

Art interest became a tasteful reuse gallery

The Vildanden Art Exchange opened in March and was inaugurated with a premiere exhibition, canapés and sparkling wine. It all started when caretaker Jonas Ekman saw all the fine paintings that the students left in the bulky waste station, the Green Room.

Two international students on the stairs
For the students' best

Questionnaire confirms what international students want

The Housing Ombudsman has produced a questionnaire that confirms previous assumptions about international students’ needs for social activities as well as information and motivation regarding waste sorting.

Inauguration
Long-term and responsible actor

Rhodos provided a colossally festive move-in

AF Bostäder is driving one of Sweden’s biggest initiatives in sustainable student housing at Kämnärsrätten. Rhodos, a new quarter inaugurated in the summer of 2024, was awarded the Student Housing Prize for, among other things, pleasant accommodation, green outdoor environments and low climate impact. Students, relatives and friends gathered for the move-in and inauguration.

Campuskilen from above
For the students' best

New works of art will be a joyful addition for the students

AF Bostäder is to introduce culture as a new sustainability perspective based on, among other things, the Foundation’s statutes and the Government’s policy for designed living environment. According to the statutes, AF Bostäder is to work for cultural and friendly relations between the tenants. The Government’s policy covers architecture, form, design, art and cultural legacy.

Bokompakt from above with solar panels
Sustainable housing

New energy target focuses on solar panels

AF Bostäder has surpassed its latest energy target – to reduce consumption in the older properties of the portfolio by 10% between 2020 and 2024. The company has now formulated a new target, focusing on a reduction in the volume of purchased energy. Activities over the next five years will include increased investments in internal electricity production.

A price
For the students' best

“My plate” won the TikTok Song Contest!

AF Bostäder organises competitions for students to strengthen well-being and a sense of community. Last year saw the premiere of the “Mello” TikTok Song Contest. The entries flowed in and AF Bostäder recorded its own.

AF-borgen
Long-term and responsible actor

In good company for AF Borgen’s future

AF Borgen – the students’ own building in Lundagård – is the focal point of Sweden’s best student life. It is here that the Academic Society (Akademiska Föreningen) and the students arrange numerous activities, but it is also the setting for a café, restaurant, stages, festivities and much more. In addition, AF Borgen is also an ultramodern arena for Lund’s business community and cultural life.

Keys
Sustainable housing

Securing consistency through stronger inspection procedures

At AF Bostäder, all tenants are to be given an equal assessment of the condition of their housing. The company has therefore strengthened its procedures for move-out inspections.

People working out
For the students' best

Outdoor fun with tabata workouts

Among its initiatives for social sustainability, AF Bostäder invited students to outdoor circuit training. Instructors from Gerdahallen held popular sessions that offered tough tabata workouts.

Two people walkning with a stool and a moving box
Long-term and responsible actor

Focus on sub-letting

AF Bostäder only rents out to active students at Lund University – the students’ status is verified by study checks. Now, measures are also being introduced to minimise prohibited sub-letting.

A guy with a bike
For the students' best

Free bike servicing

Lund students are often seen cycling – an eco-friendly and healthy way to get around. Cycling is something that AF Bostäder would like to encourage, and most recently this took the form of free bike servicing.

Image showing three types of packaging: paper, plastic, and glass
Sustainable housing

Major gains from increased waste sorting

Using broad initiatives, students are to be inspired to reduce their waste and increase their waste sorting. Reduced residual waste is good for the climate and environment and means cost-savings in waste management. During 2024, AF Bostäder deepened its cooperation with the waste management utility, Lunds Renhållningsverk, renovated waste rooms, opened an Art Exchange and launched the waste sorting campaign, Buzz of the month.

A finger pushing a circle
Long-term and responsible actor

New sustainable operational targets

With clear targets, all those working at AF Bostäder can develop and drive sustainability management together. The targets are to be current and relevant, and ahead of 2025 it was time to renew and fine-tune them again.

Picture of a street lamp from underneath, surrounded by leaves.
For the students' best

Security walks – the best sustainability project of 2024

As one of the initiatives for social sustainability, AF Bostäder’s property developers have introduced security walks. Based on the housing areas’ Swedish Quality Index (SKI) ratings, the walks are to result in security enhancement measures for the outdoor environment. Internally, the initiative was named the best sustainability project of 2024.

Several hand are fistbumping
Long-term and responsible actor

New sustainability network

Those responsible for sustainability management are constantly facing new challenges. A network initiated by AF Bostäder will give student housing companies the opportunity to share knowledge and inspiration with each other.

Ekotipset against a pink background. Around it there are bottles with cleaning materials.
Sustainable housing

Clean sustainably with Eco-Hacks!

It’s now easier to thoroughly clean the corridor – with gentle cleaning agents! The students have received a special edition of the book “Städa hållbart med Ekotipset” (Clean Sustainably with Eco-Hacks), along with eco-friendly cleaning materials.

A student in front of her computer with her head in her hands
For the students' best

Stronger procedures in place when students’ feel bad

Over half of Sweden’s students are affected by some kind of mental health problem. For this reason, AF Bostäder works actively on social sustainability issues with initiatives such as the Help information project. For increased security, the company has now produced detailed flow charts for occasions when a student feels bad.

A male student with a folded moving box
Long-term and responsible actor

Secure sub-letting

AF Bostäder rents out affordable housing in attractive locations to students at Lund University. The queue and rental terms, which include admission and study rate requirements, are to ensure that renting is fair and conducted via a housing queue. Sub-letting is permitted to a limited extent in order to facilitate, for example, studies abroad and military conscription.

Two students take a selfie with their phone
For the students' best

Students involved in new strategy for social media

AF Bostäder has launched a new communication strategy for channels such as Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Students have given their input and contribute to the content.

An illustration of a forest with two footprints in the middle made of trees.
Sustainable housing

Making indirect emissions visible is a major challenge

Since 2016, AF Bostäder has reported – and considerably reduced – emissions from its own operations, from purchased energy and from business travel. In line with the aims of Climate Neutral Lund, we are continuing to track down other indirect emissions.

Three people stand around some papers
Long-term and responsible actor

New coordinated risk analysis

AF Bostäder has for some time conducted risk analyses concerning everything from financing and work environment to extreme rainfall events. Now, the work on risk is being expanded and coordinated, for a better overview and reporting purposes.

A magnolia tree in front of the university buildning in Lund
For the students' best

Study in Lund and a bright future awaits

Lund University is one of the world’s most distinguished higher education institutions. In Lund’s historical surroundings there is world-leading education and research, the best possible student life and the opportunity to obtain affordable, pleasant and long-term sustainable housing with almost no waiting time. Welcome to Lund University, Studentlund and AF Bostäder – here, a bright future awaits.

A flee market
Sustainable housing

Things get a new life at second-hand market

In September, AF Bostäder organised its first second-hand market and many things switched owners – from students to students. Simple, social, enjoyable and, of course, circular.

Hands over a computer keyboard
Long-term and responsible actor

Strong engagement in our own business system

Many companies buy a ready-to-use business system and adapt their processes to the system. AF Bostäder has instead chosen to design its own system from scratch. Thanks to strong engagement internally in the development work, the system is powerful, easy to use and liked by both customers and staff.

Two caretakers next to a small, pink camper van
For the students' best

With the student’s best interests in mind

A win in the customer survey Nöjd Studbo Live 2023, a nomination for Star of the Year and the best grade in Sweden regarding fault reports. AF Bostäder continues its tradition of garnering good reviews, due to goal-driven management, action plans, frequent communication with the students and an organisation in which everyone has the customers’ best interests in mind.

Image of Pireus from above
Sustainable housing

Welcome to Pireus – AF Bostäder’s first Nordic Swan-labelled student housing area!

At Kämnärsrätten, AF Bostäder is conducting one of Sweden’s largest initiatives for long-term sustainable student housing. Pireus was inaugurated in 2023, and in two stages around 250 students have moved into a green and inviting place with space for both socialising and seclusion. All in a living environment so sound and climate-friendly that it has been awarded the Nordic Swan label.

Around 10 people walk in the woods with their back turned to the camera.
For the students' best

Hiking excursion in beautiful countryside

AF Bostäder’s initiatives for health, wellbeing and a sense of community include elements such as sports events and social activities. This year we introduced a hiking excursion – a tradition in the making.

Two people in sunchairs. On top of the picture there is written
Long-term and responsible actor

Lund students’ own student housing company celebrated its 40th anniversary

AF Bostäder dates back all the way to 1830. It was then that Akademiska Föreningen was formed to keep the students in order. Inspired by the English college system, AF offered food and accommodation to some 50 students. Sylwanska Gården became the first form of housing with student influence.

Two students are sitting in a courtyard, studying.
Sustainable housing

Climate-friendly outdoor spaces for friends

From the starting point of sustainable operational goals and the issues that the company’s stakeholders care about, AF Bostäder’s design of outdoor environments is based increasingly on sustainability. Here, there is scope for security and enjoyment, as well as climate adaption and biodiversity.

Long-term and responsible actor

An even rent trend is a high priority

AF Bostäder aims to give students a rent trend that is as even as possible so that they can forecast their costs and keep track of their everyday finances. At the same time, stable revenues give AF Bostäder the preconditions for planning its operations with a long-term perspective.

Four students play garden Yatzy in the courtyard of Sparta
For the students' best

Activity boxes increase the fun factor

Getting to know your neighbours and meeting new friends is crucial for students’ enjoyment and wellbeing. AF Bostäder is providing inspiration with new activity boxes.

Four students sit around a table in the courtyard of Gylleholm.
Sustainable housing

NUDGE led to lower consumption and new knowledge

Within the scope of the NUDGE energy network, AF Bostäder is expected to reduce energy consumption at Gylleholm by 30%. Collaboration within the network has also led to new knowledge.

An illustration of Troja
Long-term and responsible actor

New vistas await when Kämnärsrätten is completed

With the building of Troja – AF Bostäder’s biggest construction start since the 1960s and the last quarter in the expansion along Kämnärsvägen – one of Sweden's most significant investments in sustainable student housing will reach the finishing line. In parallel, planning is underway for continued expansion, in careful balance with the housing needs of Lund students.

A man sits in a sofa with a laptop
For the students' best

New IT functions enable better customer service

Thanks to two new IT functions, it has become easier to book pre-move-out inspections and simpler to see how many apartments and rooms are available for new students at the start of semesters.

A young woman stands behind the desk at Service centre, smiling at the camera. In front of her a student.
Long-term and responsible actor

The student worker role at AF Bostäder – a good start in working life

At the Service Centre, customers often receive assistance from staff who are active students. Student workers make up a unique resource in the company, and the job is often a springboard for their own careers. Meet Amanda Forslund who has gone on to become a property appraiser, and Alexander Gahnström who has continued to work within AF Bostäder.