Municipal housing charges, 2002, January

These results are based on Statistics Norway's KOSTRA project.

Water- and sewage charges: Low in Oslo

On a national level the water charge tied to a standard house of 120 square metres

amounts to over NOK 2 300 VAT included in January 2002. The charge varies from roughly NOK 600 to nearly NOK 6 000. 12 of a total of 420 municipalities use charges that are higher than NOK 4 000. The lowest charges are found in the county of Vest-Agder in addition to the capital city.

It is nevertheless the charge for sewage that demonstrates the widest variation from below NOK 600 to over NOK 8 000. Private households living in the area of Østfold experience the highest fees while the lowest are found in Oslo and in the county of Møre and Romsdal. The average sewage charge is approximately NOK 2 800.

The water- and sewage charges shall, in accordance with the central regulation, either be calculated by stipulated or actual water consumption. The results of the survey show that the use of stipulated water consumption is the most common arrangement. Only in 62 of 420 municipalities is actual water consumption more common than stipulated. As of 1 January 2001 changes were made in the central regulation that made it possible to calculate the charges based on a mixed system. In 2002 several municipalities have introduced a mixed system based on a fixed and variable part, which often results in lower price per cubic metre but in return a subscription fee is added.

Refuse collection charges: From NOK 900 to 3 800

The refuse collection charge also varies among the municipalities from less than NOK 900 to closer to NOK 3 800. Families have to pay on average more than NOK 2 000. The development of the refuse collection service during the last couple of years has caused great variations among the municipalities and makes it difficult to make accurate comparisons.

The chimney-sweeping charge amounts to NOK 255 on average. The charges vary by over NOK 1 500. Some municipalities do not charge for this service.

Results are based on Statistics Norway's KOSTRA project. As of 2002, the survey consists entirely of electronic data obtained from the municipalities. These figures are based upon the data received from 420 municipalities. The municipalities have provided information on technical services such as water, sewerage, refuse collection and chimney sweeping. To obtain comparable figures, the charges for water and sewage are tied to a standard house of 120 square metres with either stipulated or actual water consumption with or without fixed part. In municipalities where the payment is done according to actual use measured by water meter, the price per cubic metre is multiplied by a standard consumption of 175 cubic metres.