Love-nests remain empty

– We have seen a growing demand for bigger apartments during the last couple of years, so we decided to take this into account when we built the student accommodation in Pilestredet Park, says Director of SiO Housing Tom Olstad.

With only a month left until the apartments are ready to be moved into, there are 32 vacant apartments. These are intended for couples or people who need more space. A great deal of money has been put into building larger apartments, resulting in 80 apartments and 49 single rooms. At the same time, 106 out of the 155 applicants who wish to rent the smaller apartments are not getting any offers.

The brand new student houses in Pilestredet Park have been the target of heated discussions, and characterisations such as «unnecessary luxury» and «sky high rents» have been used by some of the student politicians. Nevertheless, Tom Olstad notes that students are willing to pay extra for centrally situated and newly renovated apartments.

– So far we have received 255 applications, and we only have 129 units to distribute.

Among other things, there are several people wait-listed for the most expensive apartments with prices up to 7600 kroner.

Miscalculation?

– In view of how clever SiO Housing think they are when it comes to analysing students’ needs, I find it ridiculous that they now find themselves in this situation, says Benjamin Endré Jonsrud from the left-wing group Venstrealliansen. Jonsrud has been one of the most critical voices in the debate around the building project.

– I do think that concentrating on double room apartments and family units is a very good idea, but it seems like SiO has miscalculated this time, and that they have not taken the price level in the area into account.