Application process and waiting list
From start to finish, this guide takes you through all the steps of the application process for student housing – from exploring options, being on the waiting list, all the way until you receive a housing offer!
Can I apply for student housing with SiO?
In order to live with us, you must:
Be enrolled at a SiO-affiliated educational institution. See the complete list here.
Pay the semester fee to SiO through your educational institution. If you're unsure whether you need to pay, check your program's website and, if necessary, contact your educational institution.
Be 34 years old or younger.
As a general rule, PhD candidates cannot apply for housing with SiO. Individuals on a PhD program can get help with housing from their university. If you believe this applies to you, you should contact your university.
Read more in our Allocation rules
How early should I apply?
We recommend applying as early as possible. In most cases, those who apply earliest will receive offers first. There may be some exceptions depending on the type of housing you are applying for.
I want to apply for couple or family housing
For couple and family housing, applications are prioritised based on the original application date, with those who applied earliest receiving offers first. We therefore recommend applying as early as possible.
I want to apply for single-person housing
For move-in dates other than August 1 and January 1, applications are prioritized based on their original application date, with those who applied earliest receiving offers first. We therefore recommend applying as early as possible.
August 1 and January 1:
For move-in dates on August 1 and January 1, priority is given to the youngest new students and some international students with housing guarantees through their educational institution. If this applies to you, you must submit your application by June 1 for priority in the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester.
Which housing units should I apply for?
To find the right housing unit for you, follow these steps:
Start by selecting the type of housing you are looking for, whether it's for yourself, with your partner, or family housing if you have children.
You will then receive a list of suitable housing units that you can apply for.
You can add housing units to your wish list and apply for up to 6 of them.
You can modify your application at any time without losing your priority on the waiting list.
I want housing as soon as possible:
Fill out all 6 preferences in your application.
Housing in the city center is popular and often has long waiting lists.
Consider applying for housing types where we have many units, preferably in the larger student housing areas like Kringsjå, Sogn, and Bjølsen.
It may be wise to select "similar housing units" in your application.
If you want housing for the start of the semester in August, you should apply for unfurnished housing.
I want a specific type of housing:
If you have a very specific type of housing in mind and are willing to wait, you can, of course, apply directly for it.
Please note that housing in the city center is popular and often has long waiting lists.
Housing types with few units also tend to have long waiting lists.
Remember that you can apply for a housing transfer if you already live in a SiO Housing unit.
View our housings
Are you looking for an adapated housing unit?
If you are applying for adapted housing, remember to include documentation that demonstrates your need for this type of housing, such as a medical certificate. This will prioritize your allocation for adapted housing.
If we do not receive the necessary documentation, you will be placed on the regular waiting list. In order for us to assist you and provide the necessary accommodations, it is important that you provide us with information about your needs. This could include features like automatic door openers, ramps, etc. Inside the accommodation itself, it is the responsibility of the NAV Hjelpemiddelsentral (Assistive Technology Center) to make the necessary adaptations for you.
Similar housing units
In your application, you can choose whether you would like to receive offers for housing units similar to the ones you have directly applied for.
You will then be asked about what is important to you - housing type, price, location, or distance to your educational institution.
If other suitable housing units become available before the ones you've directly applied for, we can offer them to you.
If you decline a similar offer, you will lose your place in the housing queue.
When should I apply to move in?
In the application, you choose the period in which you wish to move in, for example between June 1 and July 15. The specific period you should apply for depends on when during the year you want to move in.
Read more in our Allocation rules
I need housing for the start of the fall semester
For August 1, certain students have priority over others, specifically the youngest new students (only applies to single-person housing) and some international students with housing guarantees through their educational institution. These students must apply by August 1 to receive the correct priority in the housing queue.
Other students are recommended to apply for moving in earlier in the summer. This can increase the chances of receiving a housing offer by the start of the semester.
For all other move-in dates besides August 1 and January 1, applications are prioritized based on their original application date, with those who applied earliest receiving offers first.
There is high demand for student housing from us for the August semester start, resulting in long waiting lists.
I need housing for the start of the new year
Similarly, for January 1, the youngest new students (only applies to single-person housing) and some international students with housing guarantees through their educational institution have priority over other applicants. These students must apply by January 1 to receive the correct priority in the housing queue.
Other students are also advised to apply for move-in on January 1. If you do not receive an offer for January 1, there are often good opportunities throughout the spring semester.
For all other move-in dates besides August 1 and January 1, applications are prioritized based on their original application date, with those who applied earliest receiving offers first.
I need housing at another time of the year
If you are not applying for housing during a semester start period, you can apply to move in during the period you desire.
For all other move-in dates besides August 1st and January 1st, applications are prioritized based on their original application date, with those who applied earliest receiving offers first.
Submit the application
After you have completed the application form, you can submit the housing application.
You will receive an on-screen receipt confirming that your application has been received by us.
The application will initially be processed to verify that you meet the requirements for renting housing from us.
Once your application is fully processed, you will receive an email confirmation with either approval or a rejection along with the reasoning.
If your application is approved, you will be able to view and modify your application on My Page.
On the waiting list
Our waiting lists are dynamic and constantly changing. Therefore, it is unfortunately challenging to predict when you will receive a response to your application.
The waiting time is influenced by various factors, including when during the year you apply and whether others with priority are in the queue alongside you.
It is also affected by how many individuals vacate their housing, how many apply and make changes to their housing applications, others who accept or decline offers, and the specific housing units in question.
Our best advice is to check your email regularly, as this is where you will receive notifications, and to exercise some patience.
Accept or decline the offer?
If you receive an offer for student housing, you will be notified by email that the offer is available on My Page. There you will find the tenancy contract describing the terms for renting with SiO Housing. You can find an example of our tenancy contract here.
If you want to accept the offer, make sure to sign the tenancy contract within the deadline specified in the offer.
If you don't get the housing type you were hoping for, we still recommend accepting the offer. Once you have moved in, you can apply for internal moving, and we will accommodate your preferences as far as practically possible. Read more about changing housing here.
Declining the offer, or not signing within the deadline, will result in you losing your spot on the waiting list. You can of course apply again, but then your application with be in the back of the queue again.