For landlords
Rent guarantee or deposit: which is safer for a landlord in Norway?
Norway's Tenancy Act lets the tenant choose between a deposit and a guarantee. How safe it is for you as landlord depends on who provides the guarantee and what it says.
By Sebastian Aragon · Last updated 13.10.2026
Short answer
The Tenancy Act allows both a deposit and a guarantee, together up to six months' rent. A deposit sits in a blocked account. A guarantee is a promise to pay, and how safe it is depends on who provides it, whether it is a direct guarantee and how long it lasts.
Is a guarantee from a company as safe as a deposit?
Norway's Tenancy Act lets the tenant provide either a deposit or a guarantee, and together the security can be up to six months' rent (Store norske leksikon, in Norwegian). How safe a guarantee is depends on three things: who provides it, whether it is a direct (selvskyldner) guarantee, and how long it lasts after the tenancy ends. Those are what to look at, not the word guarantee.
What does the Tenancy Act say about deposits and guarantees?
A deposit under section 3-5 can cover unpaid rent, damage, costs when the tenant moves out and other claims under the lease. A guarantee under section 3-6 can cover the same claims (County Governor, in Norwegian). The deposit must be in a separate account, and neither party can withdraw it without the other's consent. The landlord pays to open the account (Store norske leksikon, in Norwegian).
How do you get the money?
With a deposit, the tenant must agree to the payout, or you need a ruling from the Rent Disputes Tribunal or the courts. With a guarantee, you claim from whoever provided it. If it is a direct guarantee, you can go straight to the guarantor when the tenant does not pay. If it is a simple guarantee, you must first show that the tenant cannot or will not pay (Huseierne, in Norwegian).
What does a deposit guarantee cost, and who pays?
The tenant pays for a deposit guarantee, not the landlord. Guarantees from insurers typically cost 12 to 16 % of the guaranteed amount as a one-off fee (Bytt.no, 04.09.2026, in Norwegian). Unlike a deposit, the tenant does not get this money back.
Do you have a property standing empty?
List your property →What should you check before accepting a company guarantee?
Read the guarantee, and check the company behind it:
- who the guarantor is, with name and organisation number
- whether the guarantee is direct (selvskyldner)
- which claims it covers: rent, damage, costs when the tenant moves out
- how long it lasts after the tenancy ends, and the deadline for making a claim
- the company's accounts and owners in the Brønnøysund Register Centre
How does the guarantee work when you rent to HomeShare?
When HomeShare AS rents your home, HomeShare AS provides a company guarantee instead of a deposit. The guarantee is set out in the lease and covers the same as a deposit: unpaid rent, damage and breach of contract. It costs you nothing, and you have a contact person with us if anything happens.
If you have a home standing empty, send it in. We assess it against the projects we are looking for homes for, and contact you once we have looked at it.
Do you have a property standing empty?
List your property →Questions
What landlords ask.
Can I ask for both a deposit and a guarantee?
Yes, but together the security cannot exceed six months' rent.
What about a deposit when I rent to HomeShare?
We use a company guarantee instead of a deposit. It covers the same as a deposit: unpaid rent, damage and breach of contract.
How do I check the company providing the guarantee?
Look up the organisation number in the Brønnøysund Register Centre. It shows who owns the company, who can sign for it and whether its accounts have been filed.
