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PROPERTY: Sharp rise in rental prices in Bergen

The cost of renting in Norway’s biggest cities rose during the first quarter of the year, with the sharpest increases in Bergen, figures released on Thursday revealed.

Published: 21 April 2022 13:10 CEST

Bergen, Norway.

The cost of renting in Bergen in Norway rose by 15 percent in the first quarter of 2022. Pictured is a drone view of Bergen. Photo by Rune Haugseng on Unsplash

Rent prices rose by 1.6 percent in Norway’s four largest cities in the first three months of 2022, Real Estate Norway’s (Eindom Norge) latest figures revealed.

The most substantial price growth was in Bergen, where rent rose by more than 15 percent in the first quarter.

“Eiendom Norge’s rent statistics show an increase in rental housing prices in Norway as a whole in the first quarter of 2022. In Bergen, there was a strong increase of 15.1% in the first quarter of the year,” Hennig Lauridsen, CEO of Real Estate Norway, said of the figures.

The cost of renting in Trondheim rose by 5.1 percent, and rental prices in Oslo increased by 0.1 percent.

Stavanger saw a fall in rental prices during the first quarter, with it becoming almost 2 percent cheaper to let a property.

READ ALSO: Where can you buy a house in Norway for less than 3 million kroner?

Bergen, and another city on the west coast, Stavanger, saw the highest rental price growth over the past year, with 13.4 and 7.8 percent increases, respectively. The cost of a let in Trondheim has increased by 2.5 percent over the past year, compared to 2.3 percent growth in Oslo.

Real Estate Norway said that there had been a significant drop in the number of rental homes available on Finn.no during the first quarter of the year.

Lauridsen said one explanation could be people selling their second homes and rental properties falling an increase in the wealth tax at the beginning of the year.

“We believe the low supply can partly be explained by the increased wealth taxation of secondary homes in 2022, as we have received feedback on many wanting to sell their rental homes as a result,” he said.

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Mould at home: What rights do you have as a tenant in Norway?

If you’ve relocated to Norway from warmer parts of the world, mould might not be among the first things that come to mind when it comes to tenancy disputes.

However, Norway is a country with generally high precipitation levels, especially in its western and central regions.

Mould is often caused by several factors. The first is usually the local weather, but equally important are the overall condition and circumstances of the property (for example, if you’re living at the ground floor level, you may experience higher humidity) and how you, as the tenant, use it.

But what should you do if you get a mould problem in your rental home?

The starting point

Under Norwegian regulations, the initial responsibility for ensuring that there’s no mould in a rental property falls on the landlord.

They are responsible for ensuring that the unit has all the essential systems in place to prevent mould from appearing, such as standard ventilation and heating.

You’ll also need to invest in a dehumidifier in some buildings.

If you expect your home to have a somewhat high humidity level, the 2,000-4,000 kroner price tag will be well worth it as a mould prevention measure.

That’s why many tenants in Bergen in western Norway consider these devices a must-have.

In any case, if you notice mould in your rental home, notify the landlord as soon as possible. If not addressed immediately, it can quickly spread and cause extensive damage.

Your responsibilities

Are you ensuring a reasonable level of ventilation in your home? Do you let fresh air in and keep the in-built ventilation openings unobstructed and open?

Have you left some space between the furniture and the outer walls? Are you making sure that your home is well-heated?

READ MORE: Landlord or tenant: Who pays which costs in Norway?

If you answered negatively to any of the questions above, you might be at risk of mould in your home.

As the Rent Disputes Tribunal (a state-run entity under the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government) points out on its website, mould thrives on water and temperature, so if you notice high humidity levels in your rental, take action and reduce moisture.

Dealing with mould as part of maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, both the tenant and the landlord have certain rights and obligations.

Unless there’s a different agreement or contract in place, the landlord will generally need to take care of maintenance.

You’ll still need to look after items and elements that don’t fall in the category of fixed property.

Accidental damage repairs don’t fall under maintenance – so you’ll need to cover these expenses. The same is true if you don’t properly care for the property, resulting in mould spreading in the rental.

Resolving (mould) disputes with your landlord

In many cases, disputes with your landlord regarding mould issues can be resolved through open communication and a clear understanding of both parties’ rights and obligations.

Here, addressing concerns swiftly and documenting any communication or actions taken regarding the problem is crucial.

READ MORE: The most common disputes between tenants and landlords

Also, if initial attempts to resolve the dispute fail, you should consider seeking outside assistance – Leieboerforeningen, a national organisation for tenants, and Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian Consumer Council, can both point you in the right direction.

One avenue for resolving disputes is to submit a complaint to the Rent Disputes Tribunal, which serves as a neutral party to help resolve such disagreements when it comes to rental issues, including mould-related concerns.

You’ll need to present your case to the tribunal, which means you’ll have to provide evidence and documentation to support your claims.

Extreme cases: Termination of a tenancy contract due to mould

In extreme circumstances, you, as the tenant, have the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect due to mould.

READ MORE: How to get out of a rental contract in Norway

What constitutes extreme circumstances, you ask?

Among other things, the severity of the mould problem and how long the issues have lasted without the landlord rectifying the situation (in cases where such measures fall under their responsibilities).

In any case, the mould issues need to constitute a severe breach of contract if you want to use them as grounds to terminate the lease with immediate effect.

If you’re in the right, you will not be obligated to pay rent after leaving the property, and you might also be able to claim compensation for the costs you incurred due to the situation.

However, if you terminate the tenancy agreement without having a right to do so, your landlord may try to claim both rent and compensation for incurred costs and other expenses.

It’s always a good idea to consult a legal professional if you’re unsure whether this applies to your case.

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