As soon as your contract is finalazed, you should start looking for a suitable accomodation in Oslo.
Note: To obtain a Norwegian social security number you need a housing contract valid for more than 6 months.
Short-term Accomodation
Here are some suggestions on where to start looking:
- Airbnb (airbnb.com)
- Anker hostel
- Anker apartments
- Oslo apartments - Forenom
- Frogner House Apartments
Rent Private Housing
About renting a home, rights and duties - see New in Norway (nyinorge.no)
Check these Bulletin Boards
- Finn.no (Norwegian) - By far the biggest marketplace, offering ads for rentals and more. Unfortunately, the page is only available in Norwegian and includes mostly long-term rentals. Bolig til leie means home for rent. Bolig ønskes leid are announcements by people who wish to rent a house or apartment and may be written in english.
- Hybel.no (Norwegian) - Website for housing announcements mainly presenting shared apartments solutions and smaller studio apartments. Hybel.no is unfortunately not available in English, either, although you can translate the ads from Norwegian.
Renting Conditions
Customs and conditions for renting private housing often vary from country to country, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the different conditions and pricing.
Deposit
In Norway, as in many other countries, it is common that the tenant pay a deposit when renting an apartment. The deposit is most commonly in the amount of three months rent and must be deposited in a separate account. Usually one owned by the tenant, with a special provision that neither party can withdraw from the account without the consent of the other party.
In some cases employees may apply for a loan from NIH to cover the deposit for house rental. Loans are interest-free and are repaid via salary deductions within a year, you may speak to your manager about this.
Standardized Contracts
Contracts may vary. The contract listed below are issued by the Norwegian Consumer Council.