sameieloven

Sameieloven is the Norwegian law that regulates the ownership and management of real property when it is owned by multiple parties as a co-ownership, or sameie. The act provides the framework for how such property is constituted, administered, and altered, and outlines the rights and duties of the co-owners. It is distinct from legislation that governs owner-occupied units under separate ownership (eierseksjon), though both concepts can appear in the same property.

A sameie arises when two or more persons hold title to a property as co-owners with a shared part of the property and, typically, separate shares or interests. The law specifies how the common parts and the private parts are defined, and it governs the use of, and access to, shared facilities such as stairwells, yards, and other common areas. It also regulates how decisions about the property are made, including the management of common expenses and the responsibilities for maintenance and replacement of shared assets.

Decision-making in a sameie is generally conducted through meetings of the co-owners, sometimes with a board or elected manager handling day-to-day administration. Certain matters may require majority consent, while others may require unanimity, depending on the significance of the change to the property or to the rights of individual co-owners. The law also addresses financial obligations, liens, and the process for modifying, partitioning, or dissolving the co-ownership.

In practice, a sameie is governed by a combination of the statutory provisions and any internal byelaws or co-owners’ agreements that specify additional rules for the management and use of the property.