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WEATHER

Are you legally required to shovel snow on your property in Norway?

In Norway, where winter often means streets and buildings covered in snow and ice, the question of who is responsible for shovelling snow is a common concern among homeowners, tenants, and landlords.

Published: 22 January 2024 16:02 CET
Updated: 28 January 2024 08:18 CET
Snow shovel 1
Are you obligated to shovel snow around your building? And do different rules apply to tenants and homeowners in Norway? Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Come winter, most people who move to Norway have to start seriously thinking about the harsh weather conditions – especially if they don’t live in the country’s southern parts.

Icy and slippery roads and passages, disrupted public transport, and a thick blanket of snow are just some of the characteristic occurrences associated with the season.

READ MORE: Five things you need to learn to love about winter in Norway

The day after your first intense snowstorm in Norway – once the idyllic feeling of landscapes covered in snow starts to fade – you’ll be faced with a grim reality – someone needs to get out in the cold and deal with the snow and ice that are obstructing passages and posing a safety risk.

But are you obligated to do it yourself? And do different rules apply to tenants and homeowners?

The rules regulating snow shovelling

The answer to these questions isn’t straightforward, but it’s not complicated. In essence, it depends on your local regulations, the type of property you reside in, and – if you’re a tenant – your lease agreements.

Homeowners

As a homeowner (huseier in Norwegian), you generally can decide whether and when you want to shovel snow around your property.

However, if your property borders a public area, such as a pavement or a road, local police regulations typically require property owners to spread and remove snow and ice.

READ MORE: How to dress for the cold weather in Norway

The primary objective of these regulations is to ensure that snow and ice do not pose a danger or inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists.

These rules and regulations regarding snow removal can be found in your local police statutes, which you should be able to find via a quick Google search.

Tenants and landlords

In rental properties, the initial responsibility for snow removal often falls on the landlord (Norwegian: utleier).

However, the Norwegian Tenancy Act allows landlords and tenants to agree on different arrangements for maintenance responsibilities, including snow removal.

If the lease agreement specifies that the tenant is responsible for shovelling snow, then the tenant (Norwegian: leietaker) becomes responsible for this task.

In cases where the landlord and tenant live in the same building, they may divide the responsibilities, such as the tenant shovelling their entrance while the landlord handles other areas.

Snow shovel 2

Few things unite or divide a Norwegian neighborhood quite like winter snow shoveling. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Housing associations

For residents of housing associations (Norwegian: borettslag), the responsibility for snow removal typically falls on the board of the association, according to the Huseierne homeowner interest organisation.

Common areas such as roads, entrances, and patios fall under the board’s jurisdiction, and they are tasked with managing snow shovelling.

READ MORE: How much snow will there be in Norway in 2050?

The board can also hire a professional snow removal company or establish bylaws and house rules that assign snow removal responsibilities among residents.

In the case of housing associations consisting of single-family housing, residents might be individually responsible for shovelling outside their housing units, but this must be clearly defined in the association’s rules.

Grey area: The maintenance of the internal parts of the balcony is generally your responsibility, while the outer parts of balconies are usually considered part of the façade and treated as common areas.

Avoiding neighbourhood disputes

Regardless of who is responsible for snow removal, it is important to dispose of snow appropriately.

Dumping snow in public places or onto neighbouring properties without consent is illegal – the Norwegian Neighborhood Act prohibits actions that inconvenience neighbouring properties.

Therefore, it is best to cooperate with your neighbours to find a suitable place for snow disposal to prevent arguments.

Safety precautions

In addition to the general duty described in the Norwegian regulations (such as the Housing Association Act), local police statutes often include specific snow and ice removal provisions.

For instance, in Oslo Municipality, there are stringent rules regarding removing dangerous snow and ice from roofs to prevent accidents caused by falling icicles or snow.

Therefore, the board of housing associations should ensure compliance with these regulations to protect both residents and property because failure to do so can result in hefty fines if accidents occur due to negligence.

Who’s responsible in case of an injury?

If someone slips and gets injured due to ice or snow on your property, the property owner may be held liable for damages if it can be proven that the owner’s negligence caused the injury, according to the homeowner association BoligMentoren.

Negligence can include failing to properly clear the area, as required by the local police statutes in your area.

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PROPERTY

Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Of course not every home in Norway is identical but there are several major trends that are easily identifiable in most cities that might give you the impression that they all look the same.

Published: 25 June 2024 12:47 CEST
Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Before we explain the similarities there is plenty of variety among homes in Norway.

Different regions in Norway have their own styles, and people’s personal tastes and modern trends also play a role.

Furthermore, urban areas are way more eclectic compared to rural and more isolated regions, and at the same time, the biggest cities need to deal with population pressure.

READ MORE: What you need to know about the Norwegian housing model

However, it is undeniable that a few significant trends dominate the landscape in most of Norway’s towns and cities.

The traditional wooden house

The first trend is the traditional wooden house, which is often medium-sized and square.

These homes, painted in classic colours such as white, dark red, ochre yellow, or brown, are omnipresent across Norway.

While you will easily spot them in any smaller town, even the two largest cities – Oslo and Bergen – still boast many traditional wooden houses.

READ MORE: Oslo versus Bergen: Five big differences between Norway’s two largest cities

If you take a walk to Bergen’s Old Town, you’ll find an array of traditional wooden houses in the area behind the UNESCO-protected Bryggen Wharf. Many wooden houses can also be found in the centrally located Verftet neighbourhood on the Nordnes peninsula.

Their uniform appearance stems from historical building practices and the practicality of using wood as a primary construction material in a forest-rich country.

These homes not only serve as a testament to Norway’s architectural heritage but also adapt well to the country’s climate, providing insulation against the cold.

Additionally, local building regulations often dictate specific architectural styles to preserve the cultural heritage of Norwegian towns and villages – especially in neighbourhoods with a rich past.

Lofoten houses

Wooden houses in Reine, Lofoten Islands, northern Norway. Photo by Jonas Geschke on Unsplash

Modern Norwegian housing

The second trend includes more modern housing solutions, such as terraced houses, new builds, and apartment blocks.

These structures are increasingly common in urban areas where space is at a premium. Many construction projects in the outskirts of Bergen feature this kind of development as the city expands to accommodate its growing population.

This trend reflects contemporary architectural styles and is often designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind.

The uniformity here is driven by modern urban planning in cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger.

Aker Brygge

The Aker Brygge wharf area in central Oslo. Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

Traditional vs modern: What advocates of the two styles say

Supporters of traditional Norwegian homes argue that these old structures are very durable. They point out that the wood used in homes from 40 to over 80 years ago comes from slow-growing trees, making it dense and rot-resistant.

Compared to modern building materials, which they often view as inferior, they claim that wood in these older homes ensures longevity – as long as the house has been adequately maintained.

READ MORE: What you should know before buying a house in rural Norway

Furthermore, the longevity of old wooden houses in Norway is well-documented. Many homes built in the early 20th century still retain their original structure despite multiple renovations.

As long as the wood remains dry, it can last for decades – or even centuries.

On the other hand, with advancements in building technology, modern houses are designed to minimise heat loss, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility bills – particularly relevant in the cost-of-living crisis plaguing Norway and Europe in recent years.

These homes often feature high-level insulation, double or triple-glazed windows, and advanced heating systems, which make them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

Another key advantage of modern homes is their adherence to strict building codes and standards.

Today, Norwegian houses are built to high specifications, ensuring safety, comfort, and durability. Mandated ventilation systems improve indoor air quality and prevent issues like mould and dampness.

In addition to technical improvements, modern homes are also designed with contemporary lifestyles in mind. Open floor plans and larger windows create bright and adaptable living spaces.

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