– It has become normalized to talk about buying a house in the same way as if you buy a bag, Johanna Wojtalik grins with satisfaction. The moving boxes have not yet been emptied in her new apartment just outside the center of Oslo. Here she has secured a sunny balcony and a good view of the field. She has looked at the possibility of buying, but still decides that she wants to be a tenant. The tenant association has had a marked increase in the number of inquiries about price increases and has gained several new members. They are a small organisation, but in 2022 they gained 2017 new members. Since 1 January this year, they have gained 770 new members. – The increase we have had in the last year has been special, and we have had to wait a long time to give people advice, says Anne-Rita Andal, organizational secretary of the Tenants’ Association. In 2022, there were just under 980,000 who rented their own home in Norway. Less than 1 percent of them are organized. – It may be that the dream of owning a home is so strong that there is no tenancy identity. We think that is about to change now. Several of our members have had enough of bad conditions and demand better tenancies, says Anne-Rita Andal, organizational secretary of the Tenants’ Association. They should be okay with being tenants, says Anne-Rita Andal, organizational secretary of the Tenants’ Association. Photo: Kirsten Randers-Pehrson / Leieboerforeningen The campaign “Min Dritleilighet” on Instagram also helped engage many tenants, believes Andal. The tenant association proposes several changes in the rental market. – We want a non-commercial or non-profit rental sector. It will lead to more reasonable rents, housing democracy and a better housing environment if we look at examples abroad. Sensing pressure to buy Joanna Wojtalik is an IT consultant, and even with a relatively high salary, she does not want to enter the housing market just yet. She would rather see a change in the rental market. – It is not suitable to buy my own home, such as my life situation as it is today. Taking out a home loan is a big financial responsibility that is emotionally stressful, she says. She is also not particularly fond of renovations. – What I could have afforded in Oslo would have required a lot of work, which I don’t have the time or capacity for. When she says that she enjoys renting her apartment, she gets a surprising response. – It’s a bit like telling me that I don’t want children. People say that owning is the best choice you can make, without knowing anything about my situation. I don’t want to be ashamed of it. Joanna Wojtalik unpacks the last remnants of her moving load. The new apartment rents ho. Photo: Hedda Kurseth / news The same attitudes the Tenants’ Association say their members tell about. – There are many people who tell us that they realize that they do not have the same status as those who own their home, says Anne-Rita Andal. Wojtalik likes the idea that she can easily move if she doesn’t like the neighbors, or if she needs a change in her everyday life. – I would never have been able to afford this flat if I were to buy it. Although she is happy as a tenant, she believes that the rental market is not optimal. – There should be more regulations on what can be rented out, and there should be a price ceiling accordingly. Perhaps also inspections of rental housing to ensure a reasonable standard. I would also like to see that the relationship between landlords and tenants was more balanced. But she does not look away from the fact that one day she will enter the housing market. – Will go to great lengths to own This is how it is for most people in Norway, says Are Oust, professor of financial economics at NTNU. In Norway, most households own their home. – A little more people rent houses during weak economic times, but it is mostly stable. It is still socially and economically beneficial to own your own home, and therefore we believe that those who manage to make it happen will go to great lengths to enter the housing market. The number of renters remains stable because it is economically and socially beneficial to own your home, says Are Oust, professor of financial economics at NTNU Photo: NTNU – It is tax-favored to own a home. So if Norway does not make changes to the rental market, I don’t think the property line will fall. Oust also sees positive aspects of renting his home. – There is flexibility in that, and you can move more easily without major costs. Owning a home in the short term can be risky, and it is not the case that one always tries to do so. He believes that with high prices and rising interest rates, the expenditure item “housing” is the largest for most households, regardless of whether they own or rent their home. Many of the inquiries to the Tenants’ Association apply to increases in rent. But Wojtalik is satisfied with life as a tenant, but will refrain from answering several questions about it. – As soon as I say that I have moved, people automatically ask if I own or rent.
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The Tenants’ Association has seen a sharp increase in inquiries over the past year. – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
