Security deposit - Housing
Security deposit account for housing
Security deposit account for housing
In Norway, a security deposit is required by law when renting housing. This deposit serves as security for the landlord, covering any damages or unpaid rent during the rental period.
There are two options to arrange a security deposit as an international. Students who qualify for a Norwegian national ID number should use open a security deposit account via the bank (alternative 1). Others should consider the 'Deposit guarantee' system (alternative 2).
Security deposit account for housing
The default way of arranging a security deposit is by opening a specialized deposit account (depositumskonto) in a bank. For this, you need a Norwegian National identity number (personnummer). If you do not qualify for one, you must instead use the Deposit guarantee system described below. A D number cannot be used.
How does it work?
- A security deposit account is a specialized type of bank account managed by both parties.
- The security deposit should never be stored in the tenant's or landlord's private bank account - this is illegal.
- The account is ordered by the landlord, and the landlord shall pay the cost of opening the account.
- The account is owned by the tenant, but is managed by both parties. This means the deposit can only be withdrawn with approval from both parties.
- Because the tenant owns the account, they receive the interest from it unless otherwise agreed.
Read about this here: https://support.husleie.no/hc/no/articles/360033407671-Vilk%C3%A5r-som-stilles-for-opprettelse-av-depositumskonto (external link)
Hybel.no offers a deposit guarantee (depositumsgaranti) as an alternative to the banks' deposit account (depositumskonto).
Through a collaboration between Tryg Forsikring and Hybel.no, tenants can pay 14% of the total deposit amount (non-refundable), and Tryg Forsikring will act as guarantor for the security deposit.
This means the tenant:
- Will not need to transfer the full deposit amount anywhere
- Will not need to establish an account
- Will not need a national identity number
This is a convenient option for exchange students who cannot get a national identity number and/or open a bank account. Read more about the Deposit guarantee from Tryg at Hybel.no (external link, in Norwegian).
Private student villages and apartments that offer the Deposit guarantee solution:
- Campus Living Voll
- UMEUS
- 360 Campus living
- Bo Coliving
- Nidelven Eiendom
- Most landlord companies using Hybel.no
kindly.ai (jira II-3403 / NTNU0828537)
Avoid scams
Avoid scams
You should never transfer the security deposit to a landlord's private account - this is illegal.
The security deposit account is a specialized account managed by both parties, so that the deposit may not be withdrawn without approval from both.
For more tips on what to look out for to spot dishonest landlords, see the bottom of this page.