📜 A rental agreement with no surprises: deposit, utilities, and fair rules

Renting an apartment legally here is not difficult at all — the main thing is to understand what exactly to include in the contract and what payments are considered acceptable by law. Below is a clear overview of what is usually included/not included in the rent, how the deposit works (limits, where it is kept, how it is returned) and how to correctly agree on accommodation with pets. For reference, we have used the standard Forbrukerrådet template and the Husleieloven regulations.

💡 What is usually included/not included in the rent?

The base is a single fixed payment (husleie). Additionally, you can only charge expenses specified in the contract that depend on actual consumption: electricity/heating and water/sewage (usually if there are meters or a clear distribution formula). You cannot add separate lines for property tax, garbage collection, insurance, TV/cable, key issuance, etc. — all of this should be covered by the rent itself. The landlord also pays the costs of opening a deposit account.

💰 What is the standard deposit and how is it returned?

The legal limit is up to 6 months' rent and only as a deposit in a separate bank account (depositumskonto) in the tenant's name with interest paid to the tenant. The account itself is opened with a Norwegian bank; the commission is paid by the landlord.

In practice, 2-3 months' payments are more common in residential rentals. At the end of the lease, the money is released; in disputed cases, the procedure in §3-5 applies: the bank may transfer the overdue rent to the landlord if the formal conditions are met and the tenant does not file a claim within 5 weeks after notification by the bank. In other disputes, the initiator of the transfer is obliged to apply to the court/HTU.

🐶 Are pets allowed and how is this specified?

Yes, but with some nuances. Even if the house has a ‘no pets’ policy, §5-2 Husleieloven allows you to keep a pet when there are valid reasons (e.g., an assistance dog, significant domestic/social reasons) and the animal does not cause significant inconvenience to the landlord and neighbours (noise, smell, allergic reactions, etc.). It is wise to set out the rules in the contract: notification, responsibility for cleaning/damage, quiet hours. A separate ‘pet fee’ is illegal — only a standard deposit within the total limit (no more than 6 months' rent) is permitted.

📂 Useful links and documents

• Standard contract from Forbrukerrådet (updated form; can be signed with BankID).
• Husleieloven, Chapter 3 (payments, deposit) and §5-2 (pets) — official text and English translation.

The key to a peaceful tenancy is a transparent contract and following the letter of the law: specify what is included, put the deposit in the tenant's deposit account, describe the rules for pets and check them against §5-2. This way, you avoid unnecessary fees and ‘grey’ practices, and any issues can be resolved according to a clear procedure.

If you are unsure about the wording, use the Forbrukerrådet template and check the controversial points.