§ 6-3. The landlord must inform the tenants' representative
The landlord (utleier) must inform the tenants' representative (tillitsvalgt) about major maintenance work and other measures that significantly affect the tenants (leier) — at least one month before they are carried out. If there is a change of ownership (eierskifte), the tenants' representative must be notified immediately.
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)
The landlord is obliged to notify the tenants' representative of major maintenance work and other measures that to a significant degree affect the tenants of homes. Measures as mentioned in the first sentence can be carried out no earlier than one month after the landlord has sent notification to the tenants' representative. The provision in the second sentence nevertheless does not apply if the measure cannot wait without exposing the property to significant damage.
The landlord shall immediately send notification to the tenants' representative if the property is transferred.
What does this mean?
The tenants' representative arrangement only has value if the tenants actually find out what is happening. That is why the landlord must keep the tenants' representative informed.
Maintenance and measures:
If the landlord is planning major maintenance (vedlikehold) work — a new facade, replacing pipes, renovating shared areas, installing new systems — the tenants' representative must be informed in writing. And the measure cannot be carried out until one month has passed after the notice. This gives the tenants time to prepare, ask questions and possibly give their input.
Exception: If it is urgent — the roof is leaking and must be patched now — the landlord can act without waiting one month. But he must still give notice as soon as possible.
Change of ownership:
If the landlord sells the building, the tenants' representative must be notified immediately. This is important because a change of ownership can affect the tenants' situation — a new owner may have other plans, and the tenants have the right to know who they are now dealing with.
Example
A new owner buys the building where Lars is the tenants' representative. The previous landlord forgets to give notice. Lars finds out by chance from a neighbour. This is a breach of the landlord's duty. Lars can demand formal notice and information about the new owner.
Common mistakes
- The landlord notifies the tenants' representative verbally. The notice should be in writing — so that it can be documented that it was given and when.
- The tenants think they cannot do anything about decisions. The one-month deadline gives the tenants time to react — use it.
What should you do?
If you are the tenants' representative: Always demand written notice from the landlord about measures. Check that the one-month deadline is respected. Inform the tenants immediately about a change of ownership and other significant changes.