Oslo - Housing typology

There are four types of housing in the Oslo area:

Housing co-operatives (boligbyggelag or borettslag)
In housing co-operatives, the members hold shares in the co-operative and this entitles them to buy property managed by the co-operative. When buying a house or apartment in the co-operative, you pay towards the joint mortgage of the co-operative as well as the general maintenance, insurance and common expenses. You may sell your share in the co-operative or sublet all or part of it to others.

For information on co-operative housing, you may contact the Norwegian Federation of Co-operative Housing Associations at:

• Norsk Boligbyggelags Landsforbund
  Øvre Vollg. 11
  Oslo
  Norway
  Tel: + 47  (22) 40 3850
  website: www.gulesider.no
  You will find a complete list of boligbyggelag (or borettslag) in the yellow pages. 

The following is a list of recommended boligbyggelag/borettslag in Oslo

• LHL Boligselskapet
  Sandakerv. 99
  Oslo
  Norway
  Tel: + 47 (22) 79 9400
• OBOS
  Hammersborg Torg 1
  Oslo
  Norway
  Tel: + 47 (22) 86 5500
• Oslo Havebyselskap
  Damplass 21
  Oslo
  Norway
  Tel: + 47 (22) 69 5193

Housing co-operatives in Asker and Bærum

• Asker og Bærum Boligbyggelag
  Bankv. 11
  Asker
  Norway
  Tel: + 47 (67) 57 4000
• Gullhaug Boligsameie
  Gullberget 28
  Bærums Verk
  Norway
  Tel: + 47 (67) 80 0655

Shareholding flats (aksjeleiligheter)
These are similar to co-operatives as the owners hold shares in a block of flats and are jointly responsible for the mortgage and the maintenance.

Bonded flats (obligasjonsleiligheter)
Tenants hold bonds in the property and the contracts vary. It is advisable to use a lawyer when signing a contract.

Privately owned dwellings (selveierboliger)
These are houses or apartments/flats owned by the occupants (freehold).