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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.

Balcony fire
While there are no general prohibitions on using barbecues in Norway, housing associations often regulate their usage to mitigate risks. Photo by Pavan Trikutam on Unsplash

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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PROPERTY

What you need to know if you want to rent out a room or annexe in Norway

If you’ve got a spare room or annexe you might want to put it to good use, especially as the earnings could be tax-free. Still, there are several rules in Norway you’ll need to be aware of.

What you need to know if you want to rent out a room or annexe in Norway

Plenty of homes in Norway, especially those that are more expensive, come with an independent annexe, and ad listings will typically list how much you can earn if you were to rent this out.

You may also have a spare room or basement you want to put to good use. Many see renting out annexes and basements as a great way to boost their income or offset the cost of their mortgage.

Long-term or short-term?

Before putting a room, annexe, or basement on the market for rent, you must have a rough idea of how long you want to rent it out.

The length of the tenancy will affect things like taxes and where you would want to list the property.

For example, Airbnb makes more sense for those wanting to rent a room or their property for a few weeks.

In Norway, rental income up to 10,000 kroner from short-term rentals is tax-free, provided each rental period is less than 30 days. After this limit has been reached, 85 percent of income is taxable at a rate of 22 percent.

READ MORE: The rules for renting out your home on Airbnb in Norway

If you have a dormitory, annexe or studio on your property that you wish to rent out for longer, then you will need to check that it meets the legal requirements to be rented out.

One of the most important distinctions is often made between whether the area you wish to rent out is an “independent unit” or part of the existing housing.

Whether the home has a separate entrance is typically one of the key distinguishers. Spaces that are considered independent units have stricter requirements, such as a private bathroom and fire safety measures.

Spaces must also have ceilings of at least two metres, with slightly different rules for sloping roofs. Certain rooms will also need to have windows and escape windows and a fire separation between the apartments.

Dormitories (hybel) are not considered independent housing, but the tenant must still have access to a bathroom and toilet, even if it isn’t their own private bathroom. The other rooms must be suitable for permanent residence under the rules of your local authority.

You can rent out a room in your home. However, the tenant must have access to a toilet in the home.

Should you choose to rent out a space, be that a room or dormitory, that doesn’t meet requirements, you could be legally liable for any incidents, or the tenant may have the right to terminate the tenancy or demand a reduction in rent.

Most Norwegians turn to Hybel.no or Finn.no to rent out a room or annexe. 

The tax rules

Renting out rooms or dormitories is so popular because the income can be tax-free in many cases.

A few requirements must be met for the income to be tax-free. You can rent out several dormitories tax-free on the same property, but there cannot be more than one “family flat/ familieleilighet” on the property. These are self-contained apartments suited for two adults and a child.

You must also collect less than half the rental value of the entire property. Alternatively, rental income is tax-free if all or part of the home is rented out for less than 20,000 kroner in the income year.

Norway’s tax administration has an online wizard that will give you an overview of whether your rental income will be tax-free.

Your responsibility as a landlord

As you will all be aware, renting out a room isn’t as easy as posting an ad and waiting for the tax-free income to roll in.

For example, you will need to have a proper contract in place, and the deposit must be paid into a separate account from the tenant or landlord.

There are also rules on when a landlord can access the property, and they will typically always need the permission of the tenant to access their space.

In addition, there are rules on when a landlord can raise the rent and how much by.

All this is as well as being aware of the rules and responsibilities for who covers what in Norway when things go wrong.

Luckily, there are plenty of organisations and resources, such as Husleie.no, that can offer landlords advice. These resources help with things like rent collection, contacts, and deposit accounts.

READ ALSO: The most common disputes between tenants and landlords

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