Iceland Info
Joined: 20 Oct 2006
Posts: 18
Home Country: iceland
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 Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:26 am Post subject: HOUSING IN ICELAND |
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HOUSING IN ICELAND
HOW TO FIND RENTAL HOUSING
Read the newspapers. In the newspaper you will find ads from homeowners who wish to rent out their flats. Sometimes an offer is required, in other words, the prospective tenant will have to specify how much rent they are willing to pay for that particular apartment. You can get advice from any real estate or rental agent. People may also put their own ads in the papers. The advert may include the size of the family, the number of rooms required, the area you would prefer, and often whether the family is a smoking or non-smoking one. Obviously, the name of the contact person and telephone number or e-mail must also be included in the advert.
Use the Internet. Most rental agents, for a fee, offer an Internet service. Applicants must supply information about what kind of housing they are looking for, which is then compared to the list of available housing on their database. If they find a flat that matches your descriptions you will be contacted.
Word-of-mouth. Tell everyone you know, even people you work with that you are looking for an apartment. Often apartments for rent are not advertised in the papers as they are rented through acquaintances.
The Rental Agency (Leigulistinn). In exchange for a monthly fee of kr. 2,650.00 this agency provides their customers with a current list of all available housing for rent. Call everyday and ask if there are any new listings.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING
The local authorities/municipalities provide some housing, and it is possible to apply for rental housing through them. The term for these apartments is félagslegar leiguíbúðir, or social welfare flats. Although there is a waiting list, if you are in need of an apartment it is a good idea to apply. To do so, go to your local Social Services (Félagsþjónustan) office. NOTE: Your application is only valid for one year. At the end of one year you must re-apply.
Requirements for applications:
Kópavogur
*That the applicant has had a legal address in Kópavogur for the past 6 months.
*That the salary of the applicant and his family be under a certain average for the last 3 years. For individuals- kr. 2.213.000 a year.
*For married/cohabitating couples- total kr. 3.099.000 a year. For children under 20 years of age an additional kr. 370.000 a year is permissible.
*That the applicant does not own assets worth more than kr. 2.390.000.
Reykjavík
*That the applicant has had a legal address in Reykjavík for the past 3 years.
*That the salary of the applicant and his family be under a certain average for the last 3 years. For individuals- kr. 1.540.000 a year.
*For married/cohabitating couples- total kr. 2.253.213 a year. For children under 20 years of age an additional kr. 257.000 a year is permissible.
*That the applicant does not own assets worth more than kr. 1.900.000.
RENTAL CONTRACT
When you have found the right apartment and both parties have reached an agreement you will be asked to sign a contract called a ‘leigusamningur’. As with all legal documents it is advisable to make sure that you know exactly what you are signing. This lease is a special form that you and the owner both must sign. It must also be witnessed. After signing, this contract is registered or notarised (þinglýst) at the district commissioner’s office (Sýslumaðurinn). This is necessary to prove that the contract is legal and binding and must be shown when applying for Rent Subsidy or Húsaleigubætur.
According to the law, in the case of a legally registered rental agreement, the owner may not force the renter to pay more than one month’s rent in advance if insurance is given in the form of cash, promissory note or bond. By law if the renter pays three months in advance then the renter has the right to be in the apartment three times longer than the agreement says or for nine more months. It is possible to find leases or contracts of tenement at most banks, post offices, on the net or in any Social Services (félagsþjónustan) office. To have your lease registered, go to the District Commissioner (Sýslumaðurinn). The cost is kr.1300 and it takes about 2 business days to complete the process. |
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