Reviewing the cooperative or owners' association
Shared debt, common costs, individual repayment schemes, board approval and pre-emption rights.
Applies to: Norway. Reviewed 2026-09-25.
Key takeaways
- The total price in a cooperative is the share price plus your part of the shared debt.
- When the interest-only period on the shared debt ends, common costs rise.
- The board must approve new shareholders and members may have pre-emption rights.
The housing cooperative
The Housing Cooperatives Act governs shareholders' rights, board approval of new owners, pre-emption rights and common costs.
- Shared debt per share, interest rate and interest-only period.
- Common costs and what they cover (heating, TV, internet).
- Annual accounts, budget and planned maintenance.
- Security scheme against other shareholders not paying.
The owners' association
The Owner Sections Act governs the association's bylaws and common costs and limits how many residential sections one person may own in the same association.
Questions to ask
- When does the interest-only period on the shared debt end?
- Is there an individual repayment scheme so I can repay my part myself?
Red flags
- High shared debt with a variable rate and no maintenance fund.
Sources
- The Housing Cooperatives Act (Lovdata)
- The Owner Sections Act (Lovdata)