The summer holidays are upon us, and for many it means a struggle to find a place to live before studies and work in a new city start. At Majorstua in Oslo, the sweetheart couple Linn Brenden (19) and Andreas Linnebo (19) are happy that they can come to the screening at all. The couple has sent a message to nearly 200 landlords. Many of them have not responded. – It is quite ridiculous. The prices have only risen for every single apartment that is put out, so you get a little lost and discouraged after a while, says Andreas. It is difficult for Linn Brenden (19) and Andreas Linnebo (19) to find a place to live in Oslo in August. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news And when they first get a screening, it’s a dead end. – It was very hot, very many people, and no system actually, says Linn, laughing. Not usual with open viewing Kjetil Olsen, daily manager of Husleie.no, says that the rental market has changed. The market has changed, especially in Oslo, says Kjetil Olsen from Husleie.no. Photo: Heide Marie Gøperød / husleie.no – In the past it was common for viewings to be open to everyone, anyone could come to a viewing, and it was mostly about the first person to sign a contract being the one who got the home. This is no longer the case. The pandemic limited how many people could crowd together in small rooms. It has persisted, and due to a pressured market, landlords can pick and choose. – Now we see that there will be a bit of “cherry picking” on who gets to come to the screening. It is then very important that tenants present themselves in the best possible way. When it is first open viewing, it quickly becomes full of people. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news He points out that students, foreign workers and immigrants are some of the groups who mainly rent. These do not necessarily have the strongest economy. – Ergo, they are the ones who take the biggest burden with the pressure that is now in the rental market. Oslo is the most expensive The pressure on the rental market is a fact. With both students finishing their summer holidays and overseas workers returning after the pandemic, prices are rising. The average price of apartments in Norway is now NOK 9,555 according to Husleie.no. A two-room apartment NOK 10,597. Oslo is the most expensive city. There you have to shell out an average of NOK 13,870 for a two-room flat. This is an increase of 7 per cent from July last year, and the platform has never recorded higher figures from the capital. Many cannot afford it: – Lottery to choose At the screening where Linn and Andreas try their luck, mediator Jesper Fredsson is in a hurry. Potential tenants fill up the room, but it is not enough to afford the apartment. These are busy days in the rental industry. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news – It will almost be a lottery to choose. Everyone who is here can rent, says the broker. Then it doesn’t help to just write down your name to show interest. – There are several people who talk to me at the screening. If you write down your name without saying anything, I can almost guarantee that you won’t get an apartment. It is not enough to sign up on the stakeholder list as a potential tenant. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news Nevertheless, he believes that students have no worse chance than others. – It depends on who contacts me in there. It is very important to talk to the broker so you get an impression of who they are, underlines Fredsson. Have still believed Linn and Andreas continue the hunt, even if it is difficult in one of the most expensive cities in Norway. Linn and Andreas are not giving up hope of being able to find an apartment. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news – I feel we should be a little older than we are. We are students, have part-time jobs and student loans, says Linn. Right now they live in Drøbak and Ås. – In this sense, we are lucky, in the worst case we can continue commuting, says Andreas.
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Landlords can pick and choose who can show up – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
