Renting a home in Oslo

If you're new to Oslo and planning to rent a home, this guide covers everything from finding a place to understanding your rights as a tenant.

Renting a home in Oslo can feel overwhelming if you're new to Norway. This guide walks you through the process—from finding a place to understanding your rights as a tenant.

Grünerløkka neighborhood in Oslo
Image: Nikolai Freund

Finding a rental apartment or house in Oslo

Some employers help their employees find housing. If you are an international student you should check if there are available student housing.

If none of these options are available to you, you will be looking for a home on the private market. We recoomend that you also post ads where you announce that you are looking for a place to live.

  • Visit our Houselistings and Ads page to learn more about where to find accommodation, what to look for in your search, and how to approach landlords.

Securing a rental in a competitive market

Properties that are advertised in the most popular house listing websites will often have a lot of competition.

Whether you are renting from a commercial property manager or a private citizen, trust is a key issue. If you have people in your network who can put you in contact with a potential landlord, the personal reference might be what tips the scale in your favor.

Once you have searched for property and found some that you're interested in, act quickly and ask for a viewing (or make an offer) as quickly as possible. During a viewing, it can help if you:

  • Have your deposit and first month’s rent ready.
  • Bring any personal reference from previous landlords, your employer, or a guarantor.
  • Act quickly when you find a place you like.
  • Answer quickly to any requests or questions from the landlord after the viewing.
  • State where you work, if you have a job.
  • Know what your budget and be willing to negotiate within reason.

Understanding rent, deposit, and utilities

Rental costs

Rent in Oslo is typically paid monthly and in advance.

Utilities

In the Norwegian rental market, whether utilities are included in the rent can vary from one property to another. This is usually decided by the landlord and should be clearly stated in the rental agreement.

Security deposit

In Norway, it is standard practice to pay a security deposit when signing a rental contract. The deposit is usually equivalent to three months’ rent, although it cannot legally exceed six times the agreed monthly rent. This amount is held for the duration of the tenancy and returned to you when you move out, provided the property is in the same condition as when you moved in.

To protect both the tenant and the landlord, Norwegian banks offer dedicated deposit accounts. These accounts are designed specifically for rental deposits and are governed by strict regulations. Once the deposit is placed in this account, neither party can access the funds independently. This ensures that the money is safeguarded and cannot be misused.

Using a deposit account is mandatory under Norwegian law. If a landlord asks you to transfer the deposit directly to their personal account or pay in cash, you have the right to refuse. The deposit must be placed in a secure, regulated account.

To open a deposit account, you will need a Norwegian bank account and a Norwegian eID. If you are new to Norway and have not yet set up your bank account, it’s important to communicate this with the landlord. Learn more below.

Renting a home before you have a Norwegian bank account

You need a Norwegian eID in order to open a deposit account. You might not want to wait for your bank account before you start looking for a home you can settle in, though.

  • Read more from Welcome to Oslo: Before you move & first steps to learn more about what to expect in your first months, opening your first bank account, and more.

Negotiate

Some landlords will be willing to negotiate to find a temporary solution if you can’t open a deposit account yet. It will always pose more risk for one or both parties, so don’t agree to part with money if there is anything you feel unsure about, and don’t misuse the landlord’s trust.

Guarantor

You can ask your employer or someone you trust to be your guarantor ("garantist"), or to put down the money for your deposit. This can be a temporary arrangement until you can open the deposit account.

Rent guarantee

Some landlords and rental agents will offer you to buy a rent guarantee payment instead of paying the deposit. This is not the cheapest or safest alternative; before you choose this option do some research (keywords to use in your search: husleiegaranti, leiegaranti, depositumsgaranti).

Tenancy agreements and contracts

Norwegian tenancy law includes strong protections for renters, and it's important to follow standard procedures to safeguard your rights.

Make sure that you:

  • Use a standard contract, regardless if you're renting from a company, a private landlord, or even a friend in a shared house. The Consumer Council of Norway provides a recommended contract template that is widely used.
  • Use a designated deposit account that neither the tenant nor the landlord can access independently (see above).
  • Check which utility bills are included in your rent, and which you’ll need to pay separately. You should also clarify how these are paid: will you need to set up your own accounts with utility providers, or will the landlord send you a monthly bill for your share?
  • Include an inventory list in the contract if it is a furnished rental. Damage to inventory is a common area of dispute.
  • Take photos to document the state of the property when moving in.
  • Have the landlord’s approval before you make any major changes to the property, such as painting or putting nails in the walls.

Household and inventory insurance for renters

Household or inventory insurance ("innboforsikring") protects your personal belongings in case of theft, fire, or damage. It’s highly recommended for anyone renting a home in Oslo.

Finansportalen provides a publicly funded price calculator that allows you to compare insurance prices across providers. By entering details about yourself and your property, you can get personalized information:

Learn about your tenant rights

Norway has several organisations and public bodies that offer support and information for tenants.

The Consumer Council of Norway

The Consumer Council of Norway (Forbrukerrådet) is an independent organisation that provides advice, standard contracts, and a complaint service:

The Rent Disputes Tribunal

The Rent Disputes Tribunal (Husleietvistutvalget – HTU) is an official body that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants. Their website includes detailed information about tenancy agreements, moving in, and moving out:

The Tenants’ Association

The Tenants’ Association (Leieboerforeningen) offers legal advice and practical support for renters. They also offer discounted membership rates for students.

Ungifo

UngInfo is an information centre for young people under the age of 27. They provide guidance on housing and other topics relevant to life in Oslo. You can also contact them if you need help or have any questions.

Regjeringen.no

Finally, Regjeringen.no (the Norwegian government) publishes brochures that explain tenancy laws in plain language. These are available in Norwegian and can help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

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