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PROPERTY

Work permits, property and living costs: 12 essential articles for life in Norway

The process of getting a residence permit, the lowdown on the property market, the social norms foreigners struggle with most and how much money you'll need to earn to call Norway home. Here are 12 must-read articles about life in Norway. 

Published: 10 February 2023 15:42 CET
Updated: 28 July 2023 16:12 CEST
Pictured is a hiker in Norway.
These 12 articles are essential for life in Norway. Pictured is a hiker in Norway. Photo by Filip Toroński on Unsplash

If you are not a national of the EEA or a family member of one, you will need a residence card to live, work and study in Norway legally. 

The two most common types of residence permits are for workers’ or family immigration reasons. Work permits are primarily handed to skilled workers and seasonal workers. Meanwhile, you will need to either be the partner, spouse or close family member of someone living in Norway legally to be granted a family residence permit. 

READ MORE: How to get a work permit in Norway

Permits aren’t typically granted for extended family members like cousins, aunts, uncles or grandparents. Additionally, the rules make it difficult for parents to join adult children or adult children to join their parents. 

You can read more on the specifics of permits in much more detail below. 

Whether you are in the process of obtaining a residence permit or are a long-term resident with an eye on your next move, then you’ll need to have one eye on the Norwegian property market to avoid missing out on your dream home or being ripped off. 

You’ll also need to know what to do in the event of any unforeseen problems cropping up, be that a difficult landlord or a noisy neighbour. 

Norway often tops, or features at the business end, of lists ranking citizens’ happiness and their overall quality of life. However, while some of the best things in life are free, only some things come for cheap in Norway. 

This leaves many questioning how big of a pay packet they need to enjoy this fabled quality of life in Norway. It also begs the question of how much money you need to get by in each of Norway’s biggest cities like Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim and whether there is much difference between them. 

How much money do you need to earn for a good life in Norway?

While these articles cover living in Norway legally, finding a place to call home and how much cash you’ll need to live a decent life, they don’t offer any insight on fitting in socially. Gelling and fitting in socially are necessary to get the most out of life in Norway. 

Furthermore, no matter how well you prepare, there will be culture shocks, both big and small, waiting for you and social norms that may leave you scratching your head. 

READ MORE: Five Norwegian social norms that may be strange to newcomers

Learning the local language can also help you feel much more gelled and comfortable in your new surroundings, even if it is expensive. Finding out how much it will cost you is essential. However, finding cheap hacks on how to learn the language on a budget is perhaps even more important. 

READ MORE: What are the cheapest ways to learn Norwegian?

If you settle in Norway, you may even end up thinking about the possibility of becoming a permanent resident or even a citizen. Should you have kids, you’ll also probably wonder what the rules are for them becoming citizens. 

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RENTING

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

Some of Norway's largest cities, such as Bergen and Trondheim, are notorious for wet and grey weather. Therefore, it's no surprise that mould is one of the most common disputes between tenants and landlords.

Published: 23 April 2024 16:07 CEST
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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