So, you are on your way or have just arrived to Stavanger – Now renting a place to live, how does it work in Norway? The information here should help.


1935b64c091d7559546e132e74a5d2091 250x166 Renting a Property in Stavanger

FINN is the go-to site to search for property. So in FINN, click on Eiendom > Leie Bolig > Stavanger. There you’ll get to see all the places that are for rent in the Stavanger area.

There is a description of the homes when you click on them, usually complete with pictures and other information. Google Translate is really helpful here. Do note that houses on FINN go pretty quickly so if you see one you like, be sure to contact the owner/agent immediately to set up a viewing.

You can also check listings in the local papers or contact Utleie Megleren or Relocation.

Alternatively, check in the Stavanger Expats Facebook group or with your or your partner’s colleagues – you might hear of a property that is about to go on the market.

The monthly rental can start from 3,000 NOK (for a room in a shared house) to 40,000 NOK (for a big and beautiful house, usually with a view). Furnishings, electricity, Internet and cable TV may or may not be included. Places are generally more expensive in and immediately around the city.

Here are some terms that might help you in looking for a place to rent.

  • bofelleskap = shared house
  • kjellerleilighet = basement apartment
  • loftsleilighet = loft apartment
  • hybel = bedsit
  • leilighet= apartment
  • enebolig= one entire house
  • rekkehus= house in a series
  • tomannsbolig= one house divided for 2 different families
  • blokk= apartment block
  • Bolig= dwelling
  • Bad = toilet/bathroom/washroom
  • Rom = bedroom
  • Gang= hallway
  • U. etg. = under etasje, or basement/cellar
  • 1etg.= first floor
  • loft= attic
  • stue= living room
  • dusj= shower
  • vaskerom= laundry/washing room
  • oppvarming = heating
  • beliggenhet = location
  • renovert = renovated

Breakdown of areas in Stavanger

Immediately around the city:

  • Stavanger
  • Stavanger Sentrum/Vestre Platå
  • Stavanger Øst
  • Eiganes/Stokka/Sandal
  • Bjergsted/Byhaugen/Kampen
  • Storhaug Vest
  • Våland/Bekkefaret

5 to 10 mins (by car) from the city:

  • Åsen/Hillevåg/Auglend
  • Tjensvoll/Ullandhaug

10 to 20 mins (by car) from the city:

  • Vaulen
  • Hinna
  • Madlamark/Gosen/Granneslia
  • Forus/Godeset
  • Gausel
  • Madlasandnes/Harsfjord/Sunde
  • Kvernevik
  • Tasta/Vardenes/Dusavik

Across the big bridge (10 to 15 mins by car):

  • Hundvåg/Byøyer

Check out our Neighbourhood Reviews here.

So You’ve Seen Some Places You Like, What Next?

Contact the landlord/agent and ask to view the place. Some places might have a felles visning (common viewing).

If you are interested in a place, let the landlord/agent know. The landlord will decide who he wants to rent the place to, so you may not necessarily get the place you want. And as many of my expat friends have experienced, you might lose the place you so badly desire to someone else just because they are Norwegian.

Basically, landlords are looking for tenants who can pay the rent on time and who will not run away without paying the rent. Therefore, having a company or the municipality as your guarantor can help.

Finances for Renting

Renting a house/apartment does not require capital other than for the deposit. If you do not have money for the deposit, you should contact your municipality. Some municipalities can offer to lend you the deposit, while others can furnish a guarantee that some landlords will accept as an alternative to a deposit. Check with your company if they are willing to do that too. If the municipality or your company cannot offer you a loan for the deposit or act as a guarantor, the alternative is to take up a loan for the deposit in a private bank.

Your Rights As A Tenant

Your most important rights as a tenant are stipulated in the lease and in the Tenancy Act. The Tenancy Act includes a prohibition against discrimination in tenancy situations. The parties (the landlord and the tenant) are free to decide the amount of rent to be paid at the time the lease is signed. However, once the lease has been signed, the rent can only be increased in step with the consumer price index in the first three years. Index regulation can only take place after one year at the earliest.

The tenant is not obliged to pay rent for more than one month in advance. The rent must be a fixed amount. In addition, it can be agreed that electricity and heating will be paid separately on the basis of consumption.

The tenant has a right to let his/her immediate family move into the dwelling. The landlord cannot enter the dwelling without the tenant’s consent.

The Tenancy Act does not prohibit the renting of a run-down property, but a building that has not been approved for human habitation, or that is considered a health hazard, cannot be rented out. Incorrect information about the dwelling given by the landlord will be considered a breach of contract (defect). Damage, faults or other matters concerning the dwelling that the tenant knew about before signing the lease are not considered defects. The landlord is obliged to repair any defects to ensure that the condition of the dwelling is in accordance with the lease. It the landlord does not repair the defects, the tenant can demand a reduction in rent or withhold the rent. If the defects are substantial, the tenant can cancel the lease. Always contact the landlord first if you think there is a defect.

Lease

The landlord and the tenant must always sign a written lease.

Lease should include:

  • The parties’ names and addresses
  • The property to be rented and the amount of rent to be paid.
  • If the landlord demands a deposit, this must be specified in the lease.
  • The period of notice is three months, unless otherwise stated in the lease.

The property should be checked when the lease is signed to make sure it corresponds to the description of the property in the lease. Consider drawing up a list of furniture etc. and its condition.

Using a standard contract is advisable.

A standard lease is available here.


Deposit

A deposit is an amount that the tenant pays as security for rent owed. The amount may not exceed six months’ rent. The amount must be deposited in a separate account, and neither of the parties may use the amount for the duration of the tenancy. If the landlord demands that the tenant deposit the amount in the landlord’s private account, or that the tenant deposit the amount in cash, the tenant can always refuse to do so. Any fee payable to the bank for opening a separate account is to be paid by the landlord.

When the tenancy expires, the landlord usually gives his/her written consent to the bank to pay the deposit to the tenant. If not, the tenant must request in writing that the bank pays him/her the deposit. The bank shall notify the landlord in writing of the request, giving notice that the amount will be paid to the tenant if the landlord does not instigate legal proceedings (within five weeks after receiving such notice).

Housing Allowance

Housing allowance is a government-financed support scheme for people at a disadvantage in the housing market. The purpose of the scheme is to help households with low incomes and high housing expenses to obtain housing or retain their current housing. The scheme is government-financed and managed by the Norwegian Housing Bank and local municipalities.

Poor finances do not automatically make you eligible for a housing allowance. Only applicants who satisfy all the requirements will receive a housing allowance. The closing date for the receipt of applications is the 14th of each month. If your application is successful, the allowance will be paid on the 10th of the following month.

Applications should be submitted to the housing office in your local municipality, or online via Altinn.

Terminating the Tenancy

A tenancy can be entered into for a specified (‘non-terminable’) period or an unspecified (‘terminable’) period. A lease for a specified period expires without notice at the agreed time. Out of consideration for the tenant, leases for specified periods cannot be entered into for a period shorter than three years (unless the landlord lives in the same house, then the lease period can be for a year). As a tenant, you are therefore never bound by a lease for a specified period that is valid for less than three years. If the parties agree and it is not otherwise specified in the lease, a lease for a specified period can nevertheless be terminated.

A lease for an unspecified period runs until it is terminated by either party. If the lease does not specify a period of notice, the period of notice is three months. The tenant can terminate the tenancy without reason. The termination should be in writing. The landlord can terminate the tenancy if he/she has justifiable grounds for doing so. Termination by the landlord must be in writing. The tenant can object to the termination, and the termination will lapse if the landlord does not take the case to the Conciliation Board.

Fire Regulations

All properties in Norway must have smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher. Landlords are responsible for this.

Check that such equipment is present before you sign the lease. Check the batteries in the smoke detector and make sure that the fire extinguisher has been approved and tested.

Check the escape routes from the bedrooms and find out how you can escape in the event of fire.

FAQs

What should I know as a tenant?
Check out this article to learn all about your rights as a tenant (it’s in English!).

I don’t understand the contract as it’s in Norwegian, what can I do?
You can find an English one here which is the same as the Norwegian one here. You can request for your landlord to use this standard contract so you understand everything on it.

My landlord and I are in disagreement. Where can I go for help?
If the landlord and you are unable to come to an agreement, contact the Forliksrådet in your kommune for mediation. Here is the link for Stavanger Kommune.

For more information, check out Forbrukerrådet (The Consumer Council of Norway). It has all the information you need, in both Norwegian and English.

Do feel free to add comments!! The information here comes from friends and Ny i Norge.
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Renting a Property in Stavanger

About Cynthia Myrnes

Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!