Non-profit Housing
Non-profit homes are owned by a Danish non-profit housing organization (Danish: almen boligforening). It is a popular and common way for people to find rental housing. For internationals considering signing up, here's a detailed explanation.
What is non-profit housing?
The rent of non-profit housing is cost-related (Danish: balanceleje), so no one profits from the rent. The rent is reasonable. It is the non-profit organizations that owns and manages the non-profit homes. The organizations operate under strict regulations to ensure fair and affordable housing for all residents.
The non-profit homes are constructed with subsidize, and the municipality has the right to allocate every fourth vacant home for social housing purposes for citizen with urgent need og rehousing.
Non-profit housing has tenant democracy which means that the tenants decide on their housing conditions like renovation, pets, cleaning, the budget and the rents by voting.
You can also watch this 1 minute YouTube-video with information about non-profit.
Key features of non-profit housing
Membership: To rent a home from a non-profit housing organization, you need to become a member. This involves paying a small annual fee and signing up on their waiting list. As a member you can join as either an active or a passive member. It’s only the active members who will provide accommodation depending on your number in the waiting list queue.
Waiting list: homes are mainly allocated based on a waiting list. The length of time you will need to wait can vary greatly depending on the location and type of home. Terraced houses are more popular than apartments, and urban site is more coveted then rural sites. In popular areas, the wait can be several years, while in less popular areas, it might be much shorter.
Types of housing: non-profit housing organizations offer various types of housing, from small apartments to larger family homes, catering to different needs and budgets.
Rent: The rent is cost-related and includes all costs for operation and maintenance, but the tenant will typically pay utility costs separately.
Deposit: When you have accepted your housing offer, you must pay a deposit equivalent to 3 months' rent as well as the rent for the first month.
Advantages of joining a non-profit organization
Community: Living in a non-profit area often comes with a sense of community.
Stability: Tenancy agreements are typically long-term, providing more stability than some private rentals.
Quality housing: It is required that 30-year operation and maintenance plans are prepared. The municipality is supervisory authority and supervise the housing and the non-profit housing organizations.
Flexible rental rules
In Denmark non-profit housing is usually rented out based on a waiting list. When an tenancy becomes available, it is offered to the person who has been on the list the longest. However, there are specific criteria that can allow someone to move up the waiting list faster. This is called "flexible renting," and it's designed to create a more diverse community within each housing area.
The municipality and the non-profit housing organizations have agreed that every fourth available apartment will be rented out using these flexible rules.
The agreed criteria for moving up the waiting list are:
- Employment: People who have a steady job or are connected to the labor market (comparable with point 2).
- Education: People who are currently studying (comparable with point 1).
- Local residency: People who have had a home and official address in Lolland Municipality for at least two years.
This agreement for 25% flexible renting applies to all housing areas not designated as prevention areas. The agreement is in effect until July 2027.
Steps to join a non-profit organization
Here is a list of all the housing associations on Lolland, in Danish (lolland.dk).
This English website is also a place to find non-profit housing across Denmark (danmarkbolig.dk).
Sign up: You need to sign up for every housing association. You do this directly on their website. You should contact the public housing organization directly. The price for signing up is different from housing organization to housing organization, and you have to pay the housing organization directly. If you want to change your information later, including contact information, or in relation to the housing you are signed up for, contact the non-profit housing organization.
Wait: After signing up, you’ll be placed on a waiting list. The wait time can vary, so it’s good to sign up with multiple associations.
Respond: When you reach the top of the list and a tenancy becomes available, you’ll be contacted. You’ll need to respond quickly and provide any required documentation. You can say yes or no, depending on your interest in the offer. Remember to respond, if you don’t - you will be marked as inactive and put off the waiting list.
Move in: Once you accept an offer, you’ll receive a tenancy agreement and information about how to pay the deposit and first month rent.