So it was at renewal, not out of the blue? Did the landlord actually mention the pay raise?

One should always do as good due diligence as possible before doing a major change in life such as moving to another country. No matter which country it is.

It may have been raised at renewal but notified beforehand. It is deeply frightening knowing someone can monitor your personal finances and with the law on their side.

But what you write isn't true, at least not in the way it comes off:

When I hear "monitor your personal finances" I think on a month to month basis or more frequently.

In Sweden, as written above it is yearly and with several months delay.

Also what you you write just doesn't "feel" realistic at all. Source: I live next to Sweden and have Swedish colleagues.

I think 'people should exercise due diligence' before moving to any country!