Updated 15.30 | Published 12.47
SKÄRHAMN. It was sold as a Bohuslän dream.
But the newly renovated Panorama apartment building became a nightmare.
Four years later, the residents are left with millions in loans for condominiums they no longer own.
– Everyone feels basically cheated, says Ulrika Sillfors, 62 years old.
The view is magnificent.
But the first thing that strikes you in the communal relaxation area is the smell of old sewage.
Then the loose cords hanging from a hole in the wall. And out on the wooden deck of the roof terrace you can still see the sad imprint where the jacuzzi used to be.
– Wicked tongues call this house the shit house, says Ingalill Jansson, 69.
She is referring to the faulty drain. That caused the waste water to flow into a ditch in the neighboring nature reserve.
Ingalill Jansson sighs.
Ingalill Jansson was one of roughly 50 residents who moved into Panorama’s 37 condominiums in the spring of 2022. Ulrika Sillfors was another.
But the trips have been countless.
And the joy they felt then has long since been replaced by resignation, sadness and later feelings of panic after the condominium association was declared bankrupt a few weeks ago.
– It has been terrible. Everyone feels basically cheated, says Ulrika Sillfors.
How did this happen?
“Leaky roof”
In local media such as Gothenburg Post and The ST newspaper called Panorama the “scandal building in Skärhamn“.
The property was previously an office building that was to be blown out and converted into newly renovated condominiums.
But the responsible developer – a West Swedish entrepreneur with a background as, among other things, a housing developer – ran into problems early on and the construction was beset by delays.
So when the residents moved in just over four years ago, the apartments were unfinished.
Several of the apartments suffered from leaking roofs. There was damage to the terraces and the water and sewage system was faulty.
In addition, more than 200 deficiencies were found in the fire protection.
Escalating problem
The problems were judged to be so great that the condominium association BRF Panorama 360 in 2023 sued the former building board, which consisted of the West Swedish entrepreneur and two other people.
The amount of damages amounted to SEK 58 million.
– The problem escalated over time. The terraces cracked, the basement wall was damp and mouldy, and the entire steel structure began to corrode. It was so extensive that no one could bear to even listen, says Lennart Palmgren, 66.
He was chairman of the now defunct condominium association. For several years, Palmgren was thus involved and opposed to what he claims is a rogue developer who sat in several chairs, including as a client and executor.
During the protracted legal process, the condominium owners tried to fix what could be fixed on the property.
– Everyone in the house has probably worked 10,000 hours. We have 80-year-olds who have screwed the deck and carried tons of concrete away because the balconies cracked, says Ulrika Sillfors.
Forced to pay 16 million
All along there has been a glimmer of hope for legal redress. But then in April this year the verdict came in the Uddevalla district court.
According to the district court, the condominium association has not been able to show that the former building board acted negligently or with intent.
The Housing Rights Association lost the case – and was also forced to pay almost SEK 16 million in the other party’s legal costs.
The Norwegian Building Authority: “Lacks of grounding in reality”
The former building board has declined an oral interview with Aftonbladet.
In an email via its legal representative, the building board writes that it feels great sympathy for the residents who are now affected when the condominium association has been declared bankrupt.
On the other hand, the building board rejects the criticism directed at it:
“The Court of Appeal has decided not to issue a leave to appeal. The Uddevalla district court has previously, in a comprehensive judgment, rejected the latter board’s action in its entirety. The accusations have been tried on the basis and are completely lacking in reality. That the building board is thus finally acquitted is a vindication, but today a small consolation,” writes the building board in a comment.
Just over a month later – in May 2026 – the Court of Appeal announced that it would not take up the case. Shortly afterwards, the condominium association Panorama was declared bankrupt.
This means that the condominiums are now owned by the bankruptcy trustee. What is left are the residents with life savings that have gone up in smoke – and housing loans that will be converted into blank loans with higher interest rates and shorter payment periods.
– There is a total of more than 80 million in deposited money that disappears, says Ulrika Sillfors.
– Bye bye.
Her daughter Louise Silverdal, 32, also lives in the house and is one of those affected.
– I drained all my money to save up for this. I have nothing saved and now I will be sitting with a blank loan, says Louise Silverdal, who bought her apartment for SEK 1.7 million.
“Has a lot to explain”
No one knows what will happen to Panorama at the moment. It all depends on who or who buys – and at what price.
In one scenario, the condominiums can be converted into rental properties. In another, a new condominium association is formed.
– It is my greatest concern that a new condominium association is formed. Then maybe I will get the offer to buy back my apartment for three million. Which of course I don’t have, says Ingalill Jansson.
In retrospect, the people Aftonbladet has spoken to are very critical of the district court’s verdict.
At the same time, many of the residents question how Tjörn’s municipality in February 2022 could issue a so-called interim final decision.
– The municipality approved that it was ready for occupancy. The municipality allowed the buyers to move in despite the fact that there were serious deficiencies. They have a lot to explain, but we get no answers, says Lennart Palmgren.
Hoping for “Lex Panorama”
Panorama has appealed the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Supreme Court. However, there is no greater hope of getting a trial there.
However, Lennart Palmgren hopes that Panorama can become a deterrent example in the future.
– The entire control system has failed. We hope for a “Lex Panorama” because here are all the ingredients for having to change the rules. It doesn’t help us here and now, but this judgment can be fundamentally important for the whole of Sweden.
The municipality’s response – rejects the criticism
In a written response, the municipality’s property manager Annica Skog rejects the criticism from the residents of Panorama.
According to Skog, the municipality is not responsible for the construction quality or mistakes made by the contractor. That responsibility lies with the developer and the contractor, she claims.
“When a municipality gives a final notice, it is done on the basis of documents that show that the developer has met the requirements set,” writes Annica Skog in an email.
“This means that a municipality submits a final notice based on the developer and inspection officer submitting correct information. Our role is not to decide afterwards whether certain documents submitted in connection with the final notice were deficient or not. When the municipality received new information, the municipality acted based on its supervisory responsibility.”
