Many people are offered homebuyer insurance by real estate agents - but what does this insurance actually cover, and is it worth the money?

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Briefly summarized

Homebuyer's insurance is an insurance that entitles you to legal assistance in connection with the purchase of a home. You are also entitled to expert assistance, such as appraisal reports and other investigations necessary to uncover the extent of the defect. It does not cover the repair of the actual defects and deficiencies in the home, but the legal fees you incur if you have to complain or take legal action against the seller.

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This is completely different from home seller insurance, which the seller can and should have. There, the insurance protects against financial loss and covers costs related to hidden defects or deficiencies that are discovered after the sale. In other words, home seller insurance is a liability insurance, which also covers legal assistance if you are sued after the home sale.

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This is what homebuyer insurance covers:

• Legal assistance: The insurance covers legal assistance if you discover errors or defects in the home after taking possession and wish to complain to the seller.
• Legal costs and reports: If the case has to go to court, or technical documentation from an expert is required, the insurance usually covers these expenses.

There are usually no ongoing costs beyond the insurance deductible.

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This is not covered:

• Repair of defects: If you have damp in the bathroom, rot in the ceiling or electrical faults, you will not be covered for the repair. The insurance only covers costs associated with pursuing the claim.
• Loss if the seller cannot pay: Even if you win the claim and are successful, the insurance will not cover the loss if the seller is unable to pay. Therefore, it is an advantage for you if the seller has home seller insurance - it gives you security for a possible claim.

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When do you need homebuyer insurance?

Homebuyer's insurance may be particularly relevant if you are buying a home with uncertain or high risk of hidden defects. This often applies to older homes, homes with inadequate documentation, or if you feel that the condition report does not provide sufficient reassurance.

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The insurance gives you extra security if something goes wrong, and reduces the risk of high legal fees in the event of a dispute. As the insurance also covers reports and awarded legal costs, we recommend that everyone purchase homebuyer insurance - even if you have legal expertise yourself.

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Check if you are already covered

Many homeowners insurance policies include legal aid coverage , which provides legal assistance in disputes after purchasing a home. This coverage often has lower limits and higher deductibles than homebuyer insurance, but may be sufficient in some cases.

Before you purchase homebuyer insurance, you should therefore:

• Review your existing insurance policies
• Compare terms, deductibles and maximum coverage
• Assess whether the insurance coverage you already have is good enough

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The seller has home seller insurance - what does this mean for you?

Home seller insurance is an insurance policy that a seller can take out to cover their liability for hidden defects and deficiencies in the home. If a defect is discovered that was present before the takeover, but that no one knew about, you as the buyer can file a claim, and then the insurance company steps in instead of the seller.

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For you as a buyer, this means a greater likelihood that you will actually receive compensation and that the case will be handled more quickly and professionally. Therefore, you should always check in the sales document whether the seller has taken out home seller insurance. This gives you as a buyer a stronger starting point in the event of hidden defects.

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Have you found yourself in a dispute after purchasing a home? Our property lawyers can help you assess the case and protect your rights.

Contact us here for a free, no-obligation conversation.

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Neighbor disputes are unfortunately not uncommon. Whether it's about noise, trees that shade the sun, or disagreements about property boundaries, a seemingly minor annoyance can develop into a stalemate and stressful situation. Fortunately, there are clear legal frameworks and practical solutions that can help resolve the conflict, without ending up in court.

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Start the dialogue early

The most important thing you can do at the start of a conflict is to talk to your neighbor. Many misunderstandings and irritations are due to a lack of communication. A calm and open meeting, where you explain how you experience the situation, can often be enough to resolve the problem. Remember that most people want to have a good relationship with their neighbors.

Tips for a good dialogue:

• Choose a suitable time
• Be specific, not aggressive.
• Avoid accusations – use “I experience” statements
• Listen to your neighbor's point of view

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When dialogue does not lead to progress – what does the law say?

If the conversation does not lead to a solution, there are rules in the Neighborhood Act (Grannelova) that regulate the relationship between neighbors. The main rule in Section 2 is that one must not “do or implement anything that is unreasonable or unreasonable to the detriment or inconvenience” of the neighboring property.

Typical conditions that may be illegal:

• Prolonged and loud noise, especially at night
• Persistent smoke or odor seeping into neighboring property
• Large trees that block sun, views or that could damage the property
• Construction that violates distance requirements or boundaries

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Document everything

If the conflict persists, you should start documenting what is happening. This can be useful both in the dialogue with the neighbor and if the matter needs to be taken further.

For example, you can:

• Writing down dates and descriptions of events
• Take pictures or video showing the problem
• Keep a log of persistent noise
• Save written communications, such as SMS or email

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Use the conflict council

If you and your neighbor cannot agree, you can contact the Conflict Council . This is a free, voluntary service where a neutral mediator tries to get the parties to find a solution together. Many neighbor conflicts are resolved this way, without having to involve a lawyer or the court.

Read more at: www.konfliktraadet.no

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When should you contact a lawyer?

If the problem cannot be resolved through dialogue or mediation, and you believe that your neighbor is breaking the law, it may be appropriate to contact a lawyer. A lawyer can:

• Consider whether you have a legal claim that should be pursued
• Represent yourself in contact with your neighbor
• Be an advisor in negotiations
• Represent you in court, if necessary

Note that in many cases, your property or contents insurance may cover part of the legal expenses through legal aid coverage.

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Avoid revenge – think long-term

It can be tempting to “get even” if you feel you’ve been treated badly, but revenge rarely leads to a good solution – and can also hurt your case legally. Remember, your neighbor will most likely be living there for many years to come, just like you. Finding a solution that you both can live with will give the best results in the long run.

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Have you been in a dispute with your neighbor and would like an assessment of your case? Contact our property law lawyers for a free consultation.

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Getting handyman work done in your home can be both exciting and necessary – whether it's renovation, improvement or maintenance. But what do you do if the result isn't as agreed? Unfortunately, many people experience that the work doesn't meet the quality promised, or that the work is delayed or defective. Fortunately, as a consumer, you have rights – and the opportunity to complain.

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What does complaint mean?

A complaint means that you notify the craftsman that there is something wrong with the work performed. The notification should (but does not have to) be in writing and it must be clear that you are complaining about the work.

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Deadlines for complaints

There are two deadlines you must adhere to:

1. The absolute deadline is 5 years after the work was completed. After that, you generally cannot complain, unless the craftsman has acted with gross negligence or in breach of good faith.

2. The relative deadline is within a reasonable time after you discovered, or should have discovered, the defect. This means that you cannot wait months after you have seen the problem – as a rule, you should complain within two to three months.

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What can you claim?

If it turns out that there is a defect in the work, you as a consumer have several options:

• Correction : You can first and foremost demand that the craftsman correct the defect, at no extra cost to you. This is the most common and practical outcome, and the craftsman usually has the right to attempt to correct the defect before you can demand anything else.
• Price reduction : If correction is not possible, or does not occur within a reasonable time, you can demand a price reduction that is proportional to the defect.
• Termination of the agreement : In very serious cases – where the work is so defective that it is of no use to you – you may have the right to terminate the agreement. This means that you will not pay (or will be refunded) what you have already paid. At the same time, the craftsman is entitled to have materials returned to the extent possible without significant inconvenience or cost to the consumer. If it is not possible to return materials, the craftsman is entitled to payment for the value of the work to the consumer.
• Compensation : If you have suffered financial loss as a result of the defect, you may be entitled to compensation. This may include, for example, the costs of hiring a new craftsman to correct the defect.

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How to proceed

1. Document the deficiency.

Take pictures, collect receipts, and write down what's wrong.

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2. Send a written complaint to the craftsman.

Describe the defect clearly and what you are requesting (e.g. correction, price reduction). An email is fine, but make sure you can prove that the complaint has been sent .

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3. Give a reasonable time for response.

Two weeks is usually enough.

If the craftsman does not respond, rejects the claim or does not do anything about the defect within the deadline, you can contact the Consumer Authority for possible mediation. If it is a major case, it may be worth contacting a lawyer as soon as you discover the defect.

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How to avoid problems

To reduce the risk of conflict, it is important to have a written agreement with the craftsman, where the price, time frame and what is to be done are clearly stated. Also check references and whether the craftsman is registered in the Brønnøysund Register or has central approval - use reputable players.

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Legal assistance in case of a complaint against a craftsman

If you discover errors or deficiencies after craftsman work, you have rights under the Craftsman Services Act. The most important thing is to complain quickly and clearly, and to know what claims you can make. By taking action early and documenting the case well, you are in a stronger position – and increase the chance of a good solution. Do you want help assessing whether you have a case, or need help with complaining? Contact us for a free meeting.

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