§ 5-3. Who is responsible for maintenance?
The landlord (utleier) is responsible for keeping the home (bolig) in good repair. You are responsible for maintaining locks, taps, the toilet, electrical switches, the water heater and smoke detectors. If something breaks completely and has to be replaced, that is the landlord's responsibility.
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)
Unless otherwise agreed, the landlord is obliged during the lease period to keep the rented premises (husrom) and the rest of the property in the condition the tenant (leier) is entitled to under the rules in chapter 2 of the Act.
Unless otherwise agreed, the tenant is obliged to maintain door locks, taps, water closets, electrical sockets and switches, hot water tanks, and fixtures and equipment in the rented premises that are not part of the real property. The tenant is also obliged to carry out necessary function checks, cleaning, battery replacement, testing and the like of smoke detectors and fire extinguishing equipment. If items belonging to the landlord must be replaced, this is the landlord's responsibility unless otherwise agreed.
Repair of accidental damage is not regarded as maintenance under the second paragraph.
What does this mean?
Responsibility for maintenance (vedlikehold) is split between you and the landlord — and it is important to know where the line is.
The landlord's responsibility: Everything to do with the building and the structure of the home. Roof, walls, floors, pipes in the walls, windows, the front door, shared installations. The landlord must keep the home in the condition you are entitled to under § 2-2 — cleared, in generally good condition, and fit to live in.
Your responsibility as a tenant:
The law lists specifically what you must maintain:
- Door locks — lubricate and adjust, but not replace them if they break completely
- Taps — replace washers, adjust. But if the tap leaks badly and needs replacing — that is the landlord's responsibility
- Toilet (water closet) — clean, adjust the float and similar
- Electrical sockets and switches — keep clean, replace loose covers
- Water heater — descale and maintain, but not replace the whole unit
- Smoke detectors — test regularly, change the battery, clean
The important line: Ongoing maintenance is yours. Replacement is the landlord's. If the tap washer gives out, you replace it. If the tap itself bursts and must be replaced, that is the landlord's problem. If the smoke detector is broken and cannot be repaired, the landlord must buy a new one.
Accidental damage is not maintenance. If you knock over a bookcase and ruin the parquet floor, that is not maintenance — it is damage you are responsible for. But if the floor wears naturally over time, that falls under the landlord's maintenance responsibility.
Examples
Tom notices that the bathroom tap is dripping. He replaces the washer himself — this is within his maintenance duty and is simple and cheap. Two months later the hot water tank starts leaking badly and has to be replaced. That is the landlord's responsibility — Tom notifies the landlord in writing and demands that the landlord deals with it.
Kari forgets to change the battery in the smoke detector, and a fire breaks out that is not detected in time. Kari may have breached her maintenance duty — keeping the smoke detector in working order is her responsibility. This can affect both liability for compensation (erstatning) and the insurance settlement.
Common mistakes
- Reporting everything to the landlord, including things you are obliged to maintain yourself. It is fine to notify the landlord, but you should know what your responsibility is.
- Letting maintenance slide because you think the landlord takes care of everything. Neglecting maintenance on your part can make you liable for compensation.
- Thinking you can demand that the landlord replaces something that only needs maintenance. An item that can be maintained is your responsibility — replacement belongs to the landlord.
What should you do?
Learn the list of what you maintain, and do it regularly. Check the smoke detector twice a year. Lubricate locks. If something is broken beyond ordinary maintenance — notify the landlord in writing and demand repair of the defect (retting). Take photos and note the date.
Frequently asked questions
Can the landlord require me to paint the flat?
Who pays to replace a worn shower hose?
- § 5-5Duty to report damage
- § 5-7Defects during the lease period
- § 2-10The landlord's duty to repair defects
- § 5-1Duties during the lease period