Once the rent has been agreed and the contract concluded, the landlord cannot increase the rent at their discretion.
What should the rent include?
Only one amount. As a tenant, you only have to comply with one amount (Rent Act). The landlord cannot charge extra for property tax, cleaning, sweeping, cable TV, insurance, key delivery, and the like.
Maintenance is included in the rent. The lessor cannot demand payment for maintenance, repair and replacement costs. The cost of setting up the deposit must also be covered by the landlord.
Two exceptions for which payment can be arranged
If agreed, the lessor may demand payment for:
- electricity and fuel
- water and sewerage, if charged according to metered consumption. If a water meter is not installed, you cannot charge for water and sewage.
The lessor may not demand payment for electricity, fuel and water after the conclusion of the lease agreement, if it does not result from the agreement.
The tenant may require the landlord to submit annual settlements with the amount of costs and the distribution of costs on the property.
Also read: Give an old cinema a new lease of life
Once the rent has been agreed and the contract concluded, the landlord cannot increase the rent at their discretion. In an ongoing tenancy, there are only two legal ways to increase the rent.
1. Index rent regulation
The landlord can request a rent increase according to the Consumer Price Index only once a year. This can only happen if the landlord has given at least one month's notice in writing.
The Consumer Price Index is established by the Norwegian Statistical Office and shows the changes in the prices of goods and services that consumers demand.
Calculate the statutory rent increase yourself at Statistics Norway.
You can apply for a rent increase only one year after the conclusion of the contract. Similarly, the tenant may demand an appropriate reduction in rent in the event of a fall in the consumer price index. Interest rate increases do not give the landlord the right to change the rent beyond what is implied by the Consumer Price Index.
2. Adaptation to group rental
If the lease lasted at least 2,5 years, the landlord may demand that the rent be adjusted to the rent of the group. At the same time, the rent may be changed at the earliest six months after the lessor has sent a written request. The tenant must therefore have lived in the premises for at least three years before the rent is adjusted to the group's rent. If the group's rent is lower than the rent paid by the tenant, you can, under the same conditions, demand a reduction of the rent up to the amount of the group's rent.
Group rent is calculated by comparing similar rooms and contract terms. You should therefore compare both with houses of similar size, location and standard, in addition to the terms of the contract, such as the notice period.
How to go about making a complaint?
1. Complain to the owner first
If you want to make a complaint, you can use the Consumer Council's letter of complaint. Letter of complaint to the seller. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter you send to the other party.
2. Complaint to the Rent Disputes Commission
If you cannot reach an agreement, you can refer the matter to Housing Disputes Committee.
Like us on Facebook and share our post with others. Thank you.
Source: Consumer Council
Read and learn more: Spontaneous help offered by Jacek to a shop customer who lost her payment card
