For landlords
Rental agent or a company as tenant in Norway: which pays off?
A rental agent finds and follows up a tenant for you for a fee. A company as tenant pays fixed rent and handles the follow-up itself. Here is what that means for your income and your time as a landlord.
By Sebastian Aragon · Last updated 13.10.2026
Short answer
A rental agent in Norway usually charges a set-up fee of around half a month's rent and a management fee of 7 to 20 % of the rent. If you rent to a company such as HomeShare, the company is the tenant, you get fixed rent on the 1st and you pay no fee.
What does a rental agent cost in Norway?
A rental agent usually charges a set-up fee of 50 to 75 % of a month's rent and a management fee of 7 to 20 % of the rent, according to Norwegian price guides for rental agencies (Meglersmart, Meglerbasen, in Norwegian). A package for advertising and viewings often comes on top. Prices vary between agents, and not all state whether VAT is included.
What do you pay in the first year, and over three years?
For a home rented at NOK 20,000 a month, with 60 % set-up and 10 % management, you pay around NOK 36,000 in the first year and NOK 84,000 over three years, before advertising and viewings. The figures are an example:
| Item | Year 1 | Three years |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up, 60 % of one month's rent | NOK 12,000 | NOK 12,000 |
| Management, 10 % of the rent | NOK 24,000 | NOK 72,000 |
| Total | NOK 36,000 | NOK 84,000 |
If the tenant changes along the way, a new set-up fee and new viewings come on top.
What is the difference between an agent and a company as tenant?
With a rental agent, a private person rents the home, and the agent finds and follows up the tenant for you. With a company as tenant, your agreement is with the company. When you rent to HomeShare, HomeShare AS is the tenant on an ordinary residential lease, and the home is used by staff of companies with a project nearby.
Who follows up when something happens?
With an agent, the agent follows up the tenant, within what you have agreed and paid for. With HomeShare you have one contact person with us, and we handle check-in, looking after the residents and check-out. The rent arrives in advance on the 1st of every month, whoever lives in the home.
Do you have a property standing empty?
List your property →Deposit or company guarantee: what do you get as landlord?
A private tenant usually provides a deposit in a blocked account, up to six months' rent. HomeShare AS provides a company guarantee instead, which covers the same as a deposit: unpaid rent, damage and breach of contract. Read more in the article on rent guarantees and deposits.
When does a rental agent pay off?
A rental agent fits when you want to rent to a private person, when the home is unfurnished and in an area with good demand from private tenants, or when you want the agent to set the rent. If the home is near building sites, industry or data centres and has several bedrooms, a company as tenant may fit better.
What should you check before renting to a company?
Check who the tenant is, with name and organisation number. Check who will live in the home and who looks after them, and read what the lease says about length, notice period, subletting and guarantee.
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.
Does a rental agent need a licence?
Yes. Rental agency in Norway requires a licence from the Financial Supervisory Authority, or must be carried out by a lawyer.
Do agents' prices include VAT?
It varies between agents. Check the price list or ask before you sign.
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.
