In most businesses the summer is calm and quiet. The workforce is reduced as most employees enjoy the sun in Spain, count windmills in Holland or fall in love in Paris. With us at Relocation, it's the opposite.

Our clients are busy. Family relocations are often organised around school semesters. Some say goodbye, while those who arrive will need residence permits, residences and help to get settled in. We staff our offices accordingly – and do everything in our power to create smooth transitions.

In this newsletter, you can read about some of the reasons the summer is hectic. Few rentable units on the market and the immigration authorities’ relatively long processing time is a combination that can challenge both patience and creativity alike.


The current rental market in brief

Many people come to Norway expecting there will be plenty of rental homes to choose from. Few (including Norwegians) are aware of the shortage of all types of rented accommodation as the summer season approaches. There are 4000 homes listed for rent in the whole country at the www.finn.no portal right now, including student accommodation. For the sake in comparison, there are around 40,000 homes for sale, equivalent to the number of homes for rent in the whole of London.


Scarcity during the summer

The demand for residences to rental homes is unfortunately greater than the supply this summer. There are several reasons for this. Taxes, politics, economy and a high level of activity:

1. Foreign postings for Norwegians have become less attractive with regard to tax (meaning fewer let their homes while away).
2. High levels of activity in the Norwegian oil and gas industry. 7,500 vacancies have to be filled by foreign employees. High labour immigration influx.
3. Rising interest makes letting less attractive. Investors are reluctant to buying expensive homes to let if rental income will not cover the cost.
4. Many construction projects stopped in 2008 because of the financial crisis. It may take 2-3 years before the situation stabilizes, which affects the rentals market. Homes sell when prices are high, and because they are low at the moment, many landlords prefer to sell rather than let.
   
   In Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen, there is a severe shortage of apartment hotels as an alternative to short term rent. They are in great demand, but there is a shortage on the market.

Immigration – long processing time

The immigration authorities take longer to process permits during the summer. The two service centres in Oslo and Stavanger will also be closed for two weeks (29, 30 and 30, 31 respectively).

UDI has now made it possible to apply for a residence permit online along with appointments to hand in paper applications at Norwegian embassies, consulates and domestic service centres. Online applications save administrative resources by providing better qualified applications which make processing easier. The system is designed for two meeting appointments, one for handing in paper applications in person or proxy, the other for collecting permits in person. Appointments are arranged online and the whole process requires careful planning to avoid delays.


35 celebrate 15

Relocation.no celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. We have 35 employees based at head office in Stavanger and branches at Bergen and Oslo. We currently administer approx. 800 lease contracts for our customers, and the number of residence permits arranged through Relocation.no reached 1350 last year.


On the move

In Stavanger, Relocation is relocating our offices to Kvitsøygata 15. From the 11th of July we can be found on the 4th floor in what once was Borgen Packing. The old canning factory, surrounded by new and exciting architecture is respectfully and boldly refurbished and redecorated. We are looking forward to showing you our new offices and the creative area in which they are located.