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Home repairs in Norway: When are you legally required to call out a professional?

In Norway homeowners are frequently drawn to taking repairs into their own hands due to the costs. However, some jobs require expertise to ensure they're completed safely and in line with the rules.

Published: 2 May 2024 16:59 CEST
Updated: 5 May 2024 07:58 CEST
Renovation
You must be aware of a wide range of regulations, safety considerations, and legal requirements before you start a renovation project. Photo by Milivoj Kuhar on Unsplash

If you have friends or acquaintances in Norway who are homeowners, it probably won’t take long before you start hearing (horror) stories about the astronomical costs of hiring professionals to carry out any sort of repair work.

READ MORE: Why the cost of home renovations in Norway is rising

Replacing a fence on your family home property with a garden? Upwards of 200,000 kroner.

a Small bathroom upgrade? Around 300,000 kroner.

Replacing the wooden façade and isolation for a house? Up to 1,000,000 kroner.

All of the prices quoted above are real-life 2023 examples shared by a family living in a terraced house in the Laksevåg borough in Bergen, western Norway.

So, with the potential to save substantial sums by sidestepping high professional fees, is it any wonder that people in Norway are attracted to DIY repairs?

Key considerations before taking up a renovation by yourself

Yes, the prospect of overhauling your home without breaking the bank holds significant appeal in a country as expensive as Norway.

However, you must be aware of a wide range of regulations, safety considerations, and legal requirements before you start a renovation project.

The first reason why you should engage tradespeople in more ambitious fix-up projects is safety.

READ MORE: How does home buyer and seller insurance in Norway work?

A faulty bathroom or electrical installation can cause costly damages or even pose safety risks, such as leaks or fires.

Always remember that the stakes are also high when it comes to a home’s structural integrity, and that’s why complex projects should be left to professionals.

The second is compliance. Norwegian regulations mandate the construction and adaptation of certain rooms, such as bathrooms, which must adhere to strict standards (for example, they need special waterproof membranes).

You can find more information on the relevant building laws and regulations in Norway on the Building Authority’s (Direktoratet for byggkvalitet) webpage.

Last but not least, know that having work done on your property by yourself or an unlicensed worker can negatively affect the sale price of the home down the line – and even shield you from lawsuits.

There are multiple court cases each year where the buyers of a property sue the old owners over unqualified work that has been done on a property that wasn’t reported as such (in 2023, there was a case in Bergen where a homeowner made changes to a load-bearing wall by himself but claimed that professionals did the work… In the end, an inspection revealed that the job wasn’t done properly and negatively affected the house’s structural integrity; the old owner didn’t have documentation to prove that a licensed operator did the work, and he ended up being sued for millions of kroner).

That’s why most homeowners in Norway insist on having professional documentation of the work performed – the sales benefits are apparent, but it can also be very useful in the event of any unforeseen issues.

When to opt for professional services

From complicated plumbing installations and full-on construction to demanding electrical work, the stakes are high when it comes to home safety.

Therefore, it’s recommended to call upon the expertise of licensed tradespeople, particularly plumbers and electricians, when you need to opt for home maintenance and renovations that involve bathroom construction, electrical work, and construction that might affect the structural integrity of your home.

Bathrooms in particular can be quite tricky, as they need to have waterproof membranes and are often equipped with underfloor heating.

When it comes to electrical work, basic tasks like installing plug-in appliances and switching cover plates are permitted. Still, anything involving wiring, such as installing electric heaters or changing light fixtures, requires the expertise of a licensed electrician.

If you’re residing in cooperatively-owned apartment buildings (borettslag in Norwegian), the cooperative must approve any renovations or maintenance that may impact neighbouring units. This includes work affecting shared walls, floors, or ceilings.

READ MORE: The hidden extra costs when buying property in Norway

So, ultimately, while there may be some tasks homeowners can tackle themselves, such as minor electrical adjustments or cosmetic updates, complex projects involving construction, plumbing, or electrical systems require the expertise of trained professionals.

While expensive, their services will bring you peace of mind, and you won’t need to concern yourself with the “what ifs” associated with DIY solutions that might not stand the test of time – or professional scrutiny.

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PROPERTY

From BBQs to laundry: What you can (and can’t) do on your balcony in Norway

Unlike in townhouse areas in Norway, where disputes may revolve around parking, trees, or hedges, in apartment complexes, the focus often shifts to what is allowed on balconies.

Published: 22 May 2024 11:45 CEST
From BBQs to laundry: What you can (and can't) do on your balcony in Norway

If you’re living in a multi-story family house that you own outright, chances are you’re not losing sleep over how your balcony barbecue might impact your neighbours.

However, if you’re part of a Norwegian housing association or condominium – a popular choice among homeowners in the country – you’re likely living in close quarters with your neighbours.

READ MORE: The key things you need to know about Norwegian housing associations

This proximity can sometimes lead to conflicts, with balcony use emerging as a familiar battleground.

From barbecues to laundry and open fires, there’s no shortage of potential points of contention.

The general rules

There are no laws specifically regulating what you can or can’t do on your balcony.

However, several pieces of regulation regulate what is considered acceptable behaviour in housing associations, as well as safety concerns when it comes to balcony use.

For example, the Housing Association Act (Lov om burettslag) prescribes that you can’t act in a way that would inconvenience others. 

On the other hand, you’ll find that many Norwegian housing associations have their own set of rules regarding what is considered acceptable when it comes to balcony use.

Making changes to the balcony itself

Generally speaking, you can’t make alterations to the balcony – such as, for example, closing it off with glass walls – without considering its impact on the building’s facade.

As the facade isn’t solely yours, you will need to ask the board of your housing association for approval of any, for example, construction interventions.

Furthermore, many housing associations have clearly defined rules concerning balcony aesthetics, which aim to maintain a cohesive building appearance.

If you end up in a disagreement with your housing association, make sure to read The Local’s guide with tips on how to navigate the process.

How can I get more privacy on my balcony without going through housing association approvals?

Plants can often be an effective solution to increasing privacy on balconies when you want to avoid the hassle of submitting an official request for more comprehensive interventions to your housing association’s board.

Large pots filled with plants can offer ample protection, and there’s usually little restriction on having plants on a balcony.

However, keep in mind that having plants, too, should be done within the realm of good taste – your balcony can’t look like a jungle from the outside.

Can I have a barbeque on my balcony?

While there are no general prohibitions on using barbecues in Norway (unless a ban on outdoor fires is in place), Norwegian housing associations often regulate their usage to mitigate risks.

OBOS, Norway’s largest housing association, typically permits electric and gas grills but imposes restrictions on charcoal grills due to safety considerations. Furthermore, many associations limit the number of gas bottles you can keep on your balcony. 

Some associations also designate barbecue areas in communal outdoor spaces.

You’ll usually be able to find the information regarding barbecue rules through your association’s websites, Facebook group, or hallway notices.

Before lighting up your grill, consider factors like wind direction, neighbouring units, and permissible barbecue types.

Can I dry my laundry on my balcony?

Drying laundry on balconies, though seemingly mundane, can also provoke disputes among residents.

There is no blanket rule here. In some housing associations, for example, in parts of Bærum or Oslo, the association bylaws prohibit or restrict drying laundry on balconies, limiting it to specially designated drying rooms.

However, these examples are seemingly the exception rather than the rule – meaning you should be in the clear. 

Pictured is a clothes peg.

You should be fine to dry your laundry on your balcony. Photo by Photikus Production on Unsplash

Can I smoke on my balcony?

Once again, Norwegian housing associations have the authority to establish smoking rules on balconies.

Here, the key consideration is the widespread negative social attitude toward secondhand smoke (you’ll see warnings about secondhand smoke throughout Norwegian cities – for example, many bus stops and awareness video campaigns that run in buses will point to this issue).

So, while smoking in private residences falls outside legal regulations, know that even if the law and your housing association allow it, you might raise an eyebrow or two from a neighbour if you smoke on a balcony that is close to their windows or balcony.

What about satellite dishes?

You should be fine when it comes to installing a satellite dish on your balcony – most housing associations allow it.

Sunbathing 

If you wish to sunbathe on your balcony, with or without clothes, you may be in the clear as long as the housing association has no rules stating otherwise. 

There is no law in Norway which expressly forbids being naked. However, it is a criminal offence to display sexually offensive or other indecent behaviour in the presence of or towards someone who has not consented to it.

Sunbathing generally isn’t considered “sexually offensive”, but if your neighbour has a problem with your nudity, it could be considered a breach of the Neighborhood Act. 

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