Bjørn Myrvold in Namsos is one of many around the country who believes he found many faults with the home he bought. – Yes, it was hidden faults such as a lack of insulation around windows and doors that were the biggest problem. The house was very cold, and this was a mistake that was not disclosed before I bought the house, says Myrvold. – Flammable But the Namsos man also believes that the brick pipe by the stove in the living room did not have good enough fire protection. – When the fire brigade came to see, they said that this was a fire hazard. So I had to put on new plates around the stove. Nor did this appear in the papers that were the basis when I bought the house, he claims. Bjørn Myrvold had to put up two insulation walls around the wood stove in the living room, before the fire brigade was satisfied. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Myrvold has been in contact with both the brokerage firm that mediated the sale and the former owner. Without reaching out with their complaints. Senior legal advisor Nora Wennberg Gløersen at the Consumer Council says there are still many conflicts in connection with housing sales in Norway. Although the seller’s obligation to provide information was tightened from the new year. – Home sales unfortunately all too often lead to conflicts. Errors and deficiencies that appear after a property transaction can lead to unforeseen extra expenses and disputes about liability. The new rules in the Disposal Act, which came into force at New Year’s, increase the information requirement and shift more responsibility to the seller, she says. Legal adviser Nora Wennberg Gløersen says the Consumer Council helps many home buyers every year. Photo: Consumer Council 170 dissatisfied Norwegians Nevertheless, 170 dissatisfied Norwegians have contacted the Consumer Council after buying a home so far this year. That’s roughly the same number as in recent years. – People who are dissatisfied after buying a second-hand home must complain directly to the seller of the home, or the seller’s change of ownership insurance. If they do not come forward with a claim against the insurance company, the case can be appealed to the Financial Complaints Board for Ownership, where the Consumer Council sits as a representative of the home buyers, continues Gløersen of the Consumer Council. In Namsos, Bjørn Myrvold has renovated large parts of his house after uncovering what he believes to be an increasing number of hidden faults and deficiencies. – So far I have spent around NOK 400,000 on correcting the mistakes, but now I am starting to be satisfied, he says. The Namsos man has complained both to the brokerage firm and the former owner, without being heard. Now he asks other home buyers to be well prepared before going to a viewing. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Many complaints about hidden errors The Financial Complaints Board Change of Ownership processed 362 cases following a dispute over the purchase of a home last year. – Many appeals are about hidden faults and deficiencies in older homes. Often linked to exposed building parts such as wet rooms, drainage, roofs and electrical systems, says Nora Wennberg Gløersen. Both she and Bjørn Myrvold ask people who are going to buy a home to be well prepared for viewings. – Yes, you should preferably have a person with you who knows a lot about housing on a viewing, so that it is easier to uncover any errors, says Myrvold. – It is also important to read all the sales documents carefully. In particular the condition report and the seller’s self-declaration form. Here you should get a clue as to which parts of the home it might be a good idea to take an extra look at when you are viewing, says Gløersen.
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The new law was supposed to help home buyers, but there are still complaints after housing sales, says the Consumer Council – news Trøndelag
