§ 7-6. If the landlord says nothing for one month, it counts as approval
If you send a written application to let someone join your household (husstand) or to sublet (framleie), and the landlord (utleier) does not reply within one month, the application is automatically approved. But the application must be in writing and traceable.
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)
If the landlord does not reply to a written application for approval under the provisions of §§ 7-1 to 7-5 within one month after the application has been received, this shall be regarded as approval.
What does this mean?
The landlord is responsible for replying to your applications. If he does not do so within one month, you are approved — without him having said a word.
This is an important rule for you as a tenant (leier): you do not need to chase the landlord for an answer. One month after the application was received, you have your approval.
Practical requirements:
The application must be in writing — email, letter or other communication that can be documented. A text message may be enough, but email is safer.
The deadline runs from when the application was received — not when it was sent. Send the application in a way you can prove, for example with a read receipt on email or by registered post.
What does the rule cover?
It applies to all applications for:
Examples
Anne sends an application by email on 1 March to sublet a room to a friend. She asks the landlord to confirm receipt. The landlord reads the email (read receipt) but does not reply. On 1 April — one month after receipt — the application is approved. Anne can let her friend move in.
Lars sends an application by post — but not as a registered letter (rekommandert brev). The landlord claims he never received the letter. Lars cannot prove that it was received, and the deadline has not started to run. If Lars had sent it registered, he would have had proof.
Common mistakes
- Applying verbally and assuming the one month starts then. The rule only applies to written applications.
- Being unable to prove that the application was received. Send it registered or by email asking for a read receipt.
- Counting from when you sent it — not when the landlord received it. The deadline starts on receipt, not when it is sent.
What should you do?
Always send applications for subletting and for adding people to the household in writing. Ask for a read receipt on email, or send it registered. Note the date the application was confirmed received. Set a reminder one month ahead. If you hear nothing by then — you have your approval.
- § 7-1Adding people to the household
- § 7-3Subletting part of the home
- § 7-4Subletting during a temporary absence
- § 7-5Subletting under a fixed-term agreement
- § 8-4Transfer of the right to rent