Accommodation

Are you in need of student accommodation? Find relevant information about accommodation offers at all campuses here. 

Exchange student sitting on the snowy steps of a student dorm during winter
Photo: Maurizio, HINN Lillehammer

Accommodation offers

Please notice that the SINN web pages referred to below are in Norwegian. To have it translated, use the translator mode in your browser. It is recommended to translate the Norwegian webpages only into English.

Campus Blæstad

There is a residence on Campus Blæstad where students are accommodated in single-furnished rooms with a bathroom, shared facilities (kitchen, social room and laundry room), free internet, and parking. For more information, see sinn.no (external link). 

International students may rent kitchen equipment and bed linen (known as “Basic Start Kit”) from The Student Welfare Organization (SINN) for reasonable prices.

Students studying at Blæstad may choose to live in Hamar, which is only 15 minutes by bus from Hamar centre, or on-campus.

Campus Elverum

There is a residence on Campus Elverum where students are accommodated in single-furnished rooms with shared facilities (kitchen, bathroom, social room and laundry room) and free internet and parking. For more housing information: sinn.no (external link).

International students may rent kitchen equipment and bed linen (known as “Basic Start Kit”) from The Student Welfare Organization (SINN) for reasonable prices.

Campus Evenstad

There are two buildings (student houses) available with 117 student dorms. One building allows dogs.

Housing is awarded continuously from 01 March onward. Applications are filled out and submitted electronically on SINN's webpages. The association prioritises first-year & international students in the allocation of dorms. 

A "Basic Start Kit" is offered to new students from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management at INN University. Detailed information is provided by e-mail to the accepted students. The kit contains one pillow, one winter duvet and one set of bed linen). 

Private market

It is possible to rent off-campus, but renting a SINN dorm during your first semester at Evenstad is strongly recommended. Most students who rent off-campus find their housing through other students who leave or have a space opening up, so it is much easier to find a place once you get to know other students. 

For internationals who do not speak Norwegian, the easiest way to find a place to rent off-campus would be through Facebook groups. Examples are:

If you do not have a car available, renting a dorm on or within walking distance of the campus is often in your best interest. Public transport to and from Evenstad is limited and will hinder you from attending classes and social activities.

Campus Hamar

All residences have a central location and are within walking distance from the Hamar campus and the city centre.

The student accommodations have fully equipped bedrooms, usually shared bathrooms and a kitchen. The residents in this shared living space may be Norwegian and international students. Residence halls are equipped with Internet connections. All student homes have access to a laundry machine, dryer and storage space. The monthly rent is approximately 4400 NOK (410 EUR/485 USD).

International students may rent kitchen equipment and bed linen (known as “Basic Start Kit”) from The Student Welfare Organization (SINN) for reasonable prices.

Visit SINN’s website for more information about housing opportunities (external link). 

Campus Lillehammer

Students can choose between several options. 

A: Student housing (SINN)

Student housing is administrated by SINN (the Student Welfare Organisation), with residences in several locations in Lillehammer. It is recommended that students apply for fully furnished single rooms in a student residence, as it includes a desk, chair, a small table, a closet, and a single bed.

The following applies to all residences:

  • Laundry machines, dryers (app for use and payment), storage space, and parking (monthly fee of approx. NOK 280).
  • No deposit.
  • Private kitchen and bathroom in the studio flats.
  • Residences are within walking distance from bus stops connected to the city centre and the campus.
  • Shared/private kitchen with a private/shared bathroom in the dorms. 
  • Some dorms may have a social area (living room/similar).
  • Utilities and Wi-Fi are included in the rent.

Please check the information on SINN's webpage about the different types of accommodation, location, rent, etc., before deciding where to apply (external link). 

Specific information for exchange students

Exchange students are only eligible to apply for on-campus housing through SINN if they plan on staying for a minimum of 1 full semester (fall/spring/academic year). Students wanting to stay for half the semester (or less) must check the private market. 

B: BoligSwap housing (only for exchange students)

Every semester, our institution sends out several Norwegian students for a semester (or two) of studies abroad. Some students choose to sub-rent their room or apartment, which the International Office communicates to international exchange students in Lillehammer.

  • The offer varies from semester to semester. The complete overview will become available after the application deadline and is only offered in Lillehammer.
  • Please note that our office only provides the platform. Any details must be directly discussed between the Norwegian student (“landlord”) and the international student.

C: Private market

It is possible to rent through the private market. However, it is not recommended for exchange students staying only 1-2 semesters. Be aware of the following:

  • Most contracts (except Airbnb) last one year. 
  • Privat rental agreements often require a 1–3-month deposit (except Airbnb). Students will need to create a deposit account in a Norwegian bank. This can only be created a few months after arrival.
  • Very few apartments/studio flats/dorms are fully furnished. 
  • They can be located everywhere in/around Lillehammer. 
  • The International Office does not assist in finding accommodation on the private market.

Below are the most relevant web pages to check for private accommodations. Please notice that all of these are in Norwegian:

Campus Rena

Students are accommodated in fully furnished single rooms, including utilities, an internet connection, a desk chair, a closet, a small table and a single bed.

All rooms have a shared kitchen and social area. Some rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. The monthly rent is approximately NOK 3,800 (354 EUR/419 USD). All student homes have access to a laundry machine, dryer, storage space, and parking.

International students may rent kitchen equipment and bed linen (known as “Basic Start Kit”) from The Student Welfare Organization (SINN) for reasonable prices.

Visit SINN’s website for more information about housing opportunities (external link). 

Frequently asked questions regarding student housing (SINN)

Additional information regarding the stay can be found on the SINN webpage for residents.

Can I cancel the housing contract if I do not receive admission (full-degree student) or cancel my planned exchange?

It depends on where you have applied, and it is possible to cancel the housing contract for free within specific deadlines. View SINN's webpage for further information (external link).

Can I decide whom I would like to live with?

If you apply for a dorm, you cannot decide who you will share the kitchen with. However, you can submit a request in the application to share the kitchen with one/several friends. Both/all of you need to apply for the same dorm and write the name(s) of the ones you wish to live with. SINN will afterwards try their best to grant your wish; however, it is not guaranteed,

Does SINN only offer dorms?

They offer dorms and studio flats, but what is offered depends on the campus location. International students are advised to apply for furnished dorms/studio flats with a shared/private bathroom and a shared kitchen. No deposit is needed.

Do I need to pay a deposit for my key? Or do I need to pay if I lose my key?

No deposit is needed, but you must pay if you lose it. View SINN's webpage for lost keys (external link) for more information.

The exception is at Campus Evenstad, where your student card will work as your room key. Please remember to order it before arrival. You will receive instructions by e-mail shortly before your arrival. 

How do I get my SINN dorm/studio flat key?

How you get your key depends on the International Office's agreements with the SINN Housing Office on each campus. Detailed information will be provided to admitted students by the International Office.

I did not get a contract for the dorm/studio flat I wanted. What happened?

This may be because there are too many applications for the same dorm and insufficient rooms. Thus, you may receive an offer somewhere else. 

It is, however, possible to apply for a change of residence after you have moved into the dorm you wanted to live in. However, it is only possible if dorms are available, and a moving fee will be added to the rent. 

My dorm application suddenly disappeared. What happened?

You need to renew your application. Please read the "Your application" part on SINN's webpage (external link) for information on renewing your application.

There is an error with my student housing application. Whom should I contact?

Contact SINN at post@sinn.no. The International Office cannot be of assistance.

What are the main differences between student housing through SINN and housing on the private market?

Student housing (SINN):

  • Deposit: No.
  • Rent: Includes utilities (water, garbage, electricity, etc.) and WiFi (except Campus Evenstad).
  • Location: Specific locations.
  • Type of accommodation: Offers vary from campus to campus.
    • Dorm: Private bedroom with shared/private bathroom and a shared kitchen.
    • Apartment/studio flat: Private bedroom with private bathroom and kitchen.

Housing in the private market:

  • Deposit: Depends. Usually 1-3 months.
  • Rent: May/may not include WiFi and/or electricity. Other utilities are included.
  • Location: Anywhere around the city/location you may be studying.
  • Type of accommodation: Depends on what is offered.

Which shared facilities are included in the dorms?

Each dorm has its laundry room. A vacuum cleaner and a broom will be at the student's disposal. The residents must purchase soap and other necessities for cleaning.

Some dorms may have shared living rooms or something similar. However, this is only offered in a few dorms,

In most cases, SINN removes the leftover kitchenware and cutlery, so students must purchase the most essentials upon arrival. However, in some cases, they do not. Students living together are recommended to share the costs by purchasing equipment together. There are second-hand stores, IKEA Ringsaker and other general stores.

    Contact the International Office

    Each campus has specific employees in charge of incoming and outgoing mobility.

    Please see our webpage for an overview of all employees working with international mobility.