A few days before the start of his studies, 22-year-old Petter Brandsnes from Bodø moved into an apartment in Oslo. – It looked quite “shabby”, but usable. Right away he could see that there were deficiencies in the apartment. Among other things, loose sockets and an expired fire extinguisher. – The landlord said he would come and fix it later, says Brandsnes. When he washed himself in the bedroom he moved the bed away from the wall. There, Brandsnes found a large mold spot on the wall. – I contacted the landlord to get him to come and fix it. Brandsnes notified the landlord several times and was given a change to another room, but the mug was never removed. STUDENT: Brandsnes studies religious studies in Oslo. The Norwegian student organisation, which represents around 260,000 students, says that the problem is not unknown. Photo: private According to the lease, he had a nine-month lock-in period and a three-month notice period. When the contract expired, he moved to another apartment in Oslo. – I think it is completely on the nose. It should not be okay to rent out apartments where people cannot live. news has previously told about Eira Wisthus, who was offered a lease with strict rules of order: Landlord: – Was devastated when they left The landlord confirms that he was told that there was mold on the wall in the room where the Brandsnes rented. – This was a collective with many people, as far as I remember he only changed rooms. The landlord does not want to be identified by name and photo. He says he has five collectives that he rents out. He has owned the apartment in question for ten years. – Brandsnes says that he asked to have sockets in the apartment fixed, but that it was never done. Is that right? – General maintenance of, for example, contacts is strictly the tenant’s responsibility, but if something needs to be replaced, it is the landlord who has to do it. – What do you think that he has such a negative impression of the tenancy? – It must be at his expense, says the landlord. He says the apartment had to be refurbished afterwards based on how Brandsnes and his roommates left the apartment. – I understand that they were dissatisfied, but it was probably also self-inflicted. It was more or less demolished when they left. As a landlord, he says that it is not always easy to renovate when the rental market is tight and new people are constantly coming in and out. The Brandsnes claim, however, that the apartment was in better condition when they left it than when they moved in themselves. – We did nothing to destroy. What was broken was already broken. The only thing we did was fix the bathroom door, which wasn’t screwed in properly, he says. Want housing inspection on rental properties But not everyone agrees that landlords take enough responsibility in the rental market. The Norwegian student organization now wants a housing inspection on rental properties to raise the standard on the private rental market. – We want the landlord to have to get the home approved before it can be rented out, says Maika Marie Godal Dam, head of the Norwegian Student Organisation. WANTS HOUSING INSPECTION: Norwegian student organization will put in place a housing inspection to ensure safe and good rental housing. Photo: Skjalg Bøhmer Vold She compares it to having to have an approved EU inspection on a car, and believes it will hold the landlord more responsible for the quality of the rental property. – In cases where objectionable conditions are notified, there should be an inspection, and the landlord should be able to be required to make improvements to the home before it can be rented out again. Fears the consequences of notification A survey shows that 22 per cent of students have reported to the landlord about objectionable conditions in the rental property, without anything being done about it. – Many students accept objectionable and even health-damaging conditions because the housing market is under such pressure and they do not feel safe when dealing with landlords, says Godal Dam. NOTHING WAS DONE WITH: Analysis of a survey carried out by Analyze & Tal on behalf of NSO about students’ living conditions. It shows that many reported conditions are not acted upon. The survey also shows that approximately one in ten students are concerned about giving notice for fear of increased rent or termination of the contract. – Some people experience that the contract is terminated because the landlord has to improve the home, only to see that it is on the market again soon after, only with new paint over the mold. – With a housing inspection, this would not have been possible, says Godal Dam. – It will be more expensive to rent with inspection The landlord to Brandsnes does not disagree that a housing inspection would be a good idea. – I see no reason not to do it. It might lead to better communication. He believes it could contribute to more security for both landlords and tenants. But he adds that if there are expenses linked to such an inspection, it will also be reflected in the rental prices. – Those who rent out usually have large loans on these apartments. It should pay to rent out, says the landlord, but adds: – I would like to think that most landlords are interested in the most orderly tenancy possible. It is good to have on paper what needs to be fixed in order for it to be of a good standard. Optional certification The self-proclaimed housing shark Morten Mosvold Jørgensen, like Brandsnes’ former landlord, thinks that there are two sides to the matter. On the one hand, he understands that it can create security for those who are going to rent a home and can lead to landlords appearing more serious. On the other hand, he is unsure whether it can be implemented in a good way. Bolighaien believes that an injunction can help to increase rental prices if the landlords themselves have to pay. – I would have had no problem paying for a home inspection if that is what the tenants want, says the self-proclaimed housing shark Morten Mosvold Jørgensen. Photo: Johanna Hauge – In Oslo, prices have increased because landlords have been taxed more heavily. It only affects the tenants, he explains. Jørgensen has more faith in an optional certification. – Those who wish to, can offer tenants more security. Those who choose not to carry out the inspection will perhaps end up at the back of the queue, but it will at the same time keep prices down, he believes – I cannot understand that it is negative if it is optional.
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Mold in rental housing was not removed – the Student Organization wants a statutory housing inspection. – news Nordland
