Deposit
First of all, you should be aware that high deposits are very common in Norway! It’s usually equal to three months of the lease. The deposit is to be transferred to an own bank account, usually set up by the landowner. And of course, you’ll get your money back when you’re moving out, unless there is valid reason for the landowner to keep some of the money, ex. If something is broken. So best advice is to take care of the furniture and keeping up with the maintenance of the place.
Lease
Unless you and the landowner have an agreement in advance on a short term lease or made an agreement in the contract, you should be aware that usually you’ll have to give the resignation of the contract, three months in advance of you moving out. A lease can run for a specified period, or for an unspecified period.
Read the ad, or ask the landowner, because it varies if hot water, electricity, internet and tv, in included or not in the price.
Rights of tenants in Norway
Your most important rights as a tenant you’ll find in the contract, in which you have agreed on by signing it. Your rights as a tenant are also a subject in the Tenancy Act.
In the Tenancy Act, is a protection against sudden rent hikes. Once you sign a lease, the rent can only be increased in step with the consumer price index in the first three years, and not in the first 12 months of the agreement.
Some other important rights:
- Tenants do not have to pay rent for more than one month in advance
- The landlord cannot enter without the tenant’s consent
- The Tenancy Act includes a prohibition against discrimination in tenancy situations
- While as a tenant you can terminate a lease in writing without reason, a landlord can only do so with justifiable grounds.