Maintenance Deadlines for Tenants in Norway
As a tenant in Norway it is important to know which deadlines apply when a landlord must carry out maintenance or repairs. This includes how quickly the landlord must respond to reported defects, what you as a tenant should document, and what rights you have if work is not carried out. The article explains step by step how to report damage, the typical timeframes that apply, when you can demand a rent reduction or repairs, and how to complain to the Tenancy Disputes Committee or take the case to court if necessary. The information is aimed at ordinary tenants and uses simple language to make the rules in Norway more accessible.
What is the landlord's maintenance obligation?
The landlord's obligation is to ensure the dwelling is in good condition and that necessary repairs are carried out. The obligation is regulated in the Tenancy Act.[1] As a tenant you have the right to a habitable home, and the landlord must react to reported defects within a reasonable time. If work is not carried out, the tenant can demand repair, rent reduction or in serious cases termination of the tenancy.
Common deadlines
- Notice deadline (deadline): Inform the landlord in writing as soon as you discover a defect.
- Emergency repair timeframe (repair): Acute faults like water leaks or lack of heating should be fixed quickly.
- Reasonable timeframe for non-urgent repairs (deadline): Often a deadline of 14–30 days is set depending on the severity of the issue.
- Deadlines for complaints and formal notices (notice): Follow deadlines stated in the contract or those reasonable in the situation.
Document the defect
Write down the date, description and take photos or video. Keep receipts for temporary repairs you pay for yourself, and note all communication with the landlord.
When to complain to HTU or court?
If the landlord does not follow up within a reasonable time after written notice, you can complain to the Tenancy Disputes Committee (HTU) for many disputes.[2] HTU can mediate and make decisions in a range of tenancy and maintenance cases. For more serious disputes or matters of enforcement, the case often needs to be handled by the courts.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who pays for repairs?
- As a rule the landlord is responsible for necessary maintenance, but minor repairs can be the tenant's responsibility if agreed in the contract.
- How quickly must the landlord fix urgent faults?
- Urgent faults that threaten safety or health, such as major water leaks or lack of heating, must be addressed immediately or within a very short time.
- What should I do if the landlord does not act?
- Send written notice, document the defect, set a reasonable deadline and contact HTU or the courts if the landlord still does not fix it.
How to
- Send written notice (notice) to the landlord with description, date and photos.
- Set a reasonable deadline (deadline) for repair, for example 14 days.
- Document everything (evidence): take photos, keep a log and receipts.
- Contact the Tenancy Disputes Committee (HTU) if the landlord does not follow up within the deadline.[2]
- Seek help from the enforcement officer or court for enforcement or larger claims.[3]
