Tenant-ownership / housing co-ownership

Housing co-ownership is a form of housing that involves owning a share in a housing co-operative, which in turn owns the property where the house is located. Each member pays a monthly fee to cover costs such as interest and loans, maintenance and running the property. For many people, housing co-operatives are an attractive and financially advantageous solution, but they can also present challenges.

A housing cooperative is basically an economic association where the members jointly own and manage the property. Multiple wills and different ideas about how things should be done can create difficulties and cause conflict. Sometimes it is also the case that the association needs support in decision-making and negotiations regarding investments, construction projects or other issues where a law firm can contribute with its experience.

NORMA has extensive experience of representing housing associations and their boards in all types of matters that may arise in everyday life. These can range from members who do not behave – disturb or do not pay the fee – to questions about majority rules for decisions at the general meeting or questions about selling a raw attic or other area to a developer who will build new apartments.

In the parts that concern the rights and obligations of the members, the Housing Act is very similar to the regulation that applies to residential tenancy. It is important to bear in mind that the law often aims to protect the tenant, and there are therefore a number of formal requirements to consider before deciding to start proceedings for eviction or other more intrusive measures. We are familiar with what applies both in the parts that concern the actual housing and usage rights, but also the association law aspects that are the basis of the housing rights landscape.

Housing associations sometimes have boards that are a little more used to business, law and property management, while others are led by those who are still learning. NORMA has an obvious role no matter what level your association is at, and we like to see long-term partnerships with our clients to ensure stable management, order and reasonableness in the running of the association.

NORMA’s real estate group is the obvious choice for the board of a housing association, large or small.