§ 10-2. How to hand back the home when you move out
When you move out, the home (bolig) must be cleared, cleaned and in the same condition as when you took it over — but you do not need to do anything about wear that comes from normal use over time. The landlord (utleier) cannot demand a newer standard than there was when you moved in.
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
On the day the tenancy (leieforhold) ends, the tenant (leier) shall place the rented premises (husrom) with accessories at the landlord's disposal. Unless otherwise agreed, the return is considered to have taken place when the landlord has received the keys and otherwise has unhindered access to the rented premises. If the tenant leaves the rented premises in such a way that the tenancy must clearly be regarded as abandoned, the landlord may immediately dispose of them again.
Unless otherwise agreed, the rented premises with accessories shall be cleared, cleaned and in the same condition as at the takeover, except for the deterioration caused by normal wear and tear, and the defects (mangel) that the landlord is himself obliged to remedy.
The landlord cannot, without a special agreement, demand that the tenant restore the rented premises to their original condition as regards changes that the tenant was entitled to carry out. The landlord can in no case demand that the rented premises be restored to their original condition if this would entail disproportionate costs or unreasonable loss of value, but the landlord can demand compensation (erstatning) for the reduction in value the changes have caused, if it concerns changes the tenant was not entitled to carry out.
Fixed fittings that the tenant has brought into the rented premises pass to the landlord if removing them would entail disproportionate costs or unreasonable loss of value.
If the tenant has a duty to maintain the rented premises or the accessories, the maintenance (vedlikehold) shall be properly carried out, but the landlord cannot, without a special agreement, demand that the rented premises or the accessories be in better condition than they were at the handover (overlevering).
Regarding the tenant's claim for remuneration, § 10-5 applies.
What does this mean?
On the day your tenancy formally ends, you must hand back the home and the keys. From then on, it is the landlord's responsibility again.
What you must do:
Clear out all your belongings. Clean — floors, bathroom, kitchen, windows. Hand it back in the same condition as when you took it over, minus normal wear.
What is "normal wear and tear"?
It is wear that naturally occurs over time with normal, careful use: slightly faded paint after five years. A slightly worn parquet floor after many years of everyday use. Scratches on the kitchen worktop from normal cooking. This is not your fault — it is just life, and the landlord cannot deduct money from you for it.
What you are responsible for, on the other hand: holes in the wall from careless hanging, large stains from spills, broken windows, damage that clearly goes beyond normal wear.
What the landlord cannot demand:
He cannot demand that the home be in better condition than it was when you took it over. If the kitchen was worn when you arrived, he cannot insist on a new kitchen when you leave.
He cannot demand that you undo changes you were entitled to make — unless you agreed otherwise when you got permission.
He can never demand restoration that is disproportionately expensive compared to the benefit.
Documentation is everything. Photos from the day you moved in are worth their weight in gold when you need to show that damage was already there when you arrived — or that you handed the home back in good condition.
Examples
Tom has lived in the flat for four years. The parquet floor is slightly worn after four years of everyday life. The landlord wants to charge him for the floor. Tom has photos from moving in showing that the floor already had some wear, and four years of normal use is not his responsibility. The landlord cannot charge for normal wear and tear.
Kari painted the living room green without asking. When she moves out, the landlord demands that the wall be painted white again. Kari was not allowed to paint — she had no approval. The landlord can demand restoration, and may deduct the costs from the deposit (depositum).
Eva got approval to mount a wall-hung TV bracket with large bolts in the concrete. The landlord demands that she fill the holes with cement and paint the wall. Since Eva had approval, the landlord cannot demand full restoration unless this was agreed when the approval was given.
Common mistakes
- Taking no photos when moving out (fraflytting). Document the condition carefully — photos of every room, with the date.
- Cleaning superficially and thinking it is enough. The cleaning requirements are serious — the bathroom, kitchen and floors must be done properly.
- Handing in the keys without a proper move-out inspection. Insist on an inspection with the landlord present, so that you agree on the condition there and then.
What should you do?
Book a move-out inspection with the landlord on the day of handover or the days around it. Take photos of every room. Fill in a move-out form and ask the landlord to sign it. Send it in writing afterwards. Then you have documentation that protects your deposit.
Frequently asked questions
The landlord says the paint is worn and wants to charge me for a full redecoration. Is he right?
Can the landlord demand professional cleaning?
- § 10-3Compensation for delay and defects
- § 10-5Remuneration for improvements
- § 2-2Condition of the home at takeover
- § 3-5Deposit
- § 10-1Viewings before moving out