Underutleie

Underutleie, or subletting, is the arrangement in which a tenant rents out all or part of a dwelling they lease to another person while remaining the contract holder with the landlord. The person who sublets is the subtenant, while the original tenant remains legally responsible for the tenancy.

In Norway, underutleie is governed by the tenancy act (husleieloven). The landlord's consent is normally required for subletting. The landlord may not withhold consent unreasonably, and may impose reasonable conditions such as the subtenant's suitability or the duration of the sublease.

Obligations and rights are shared between the parties. The main tenant remains liable to the landlord for rent, damages, and compliance with the lease; the subtenant pays rent to the main tenant. The sublease agreement is typically between the main tenant and the subtenant, with the landlord informed of the arrangement.

Process and best practices for lawful subletting include seeking written consent from the landlord before subletting and drafting a written sublease that specifies rent, duration, any deposits, responsibilities for utilities and maintenance, and house rules. Conduct a basic screening of the subtenant. If subletting is done without consent or in violation of the lease, the landlord may terminate the tenancy or demand removal of the subtenant, and the main tenant remains liable to the landlord.

Impact and limitations: Subletting must comply with housing standards, occupancy limits, and insurance requirements. Some leases or local rules may prohibit subletting or set additional conditions. For disputes, tenants can seek advice from consumer authorities or rent tribunals.