Globalization is urging us to leave our home countries and seek the greener pastures that promises better expansion and accomplishment of our personal and professional goals. This has led to increasing global movement and migration. People are increasingly flocking towards the developed and growing countries to nurture their dreams and Denmark has become the hub of dreamers!
Yes, if you are also interested in migrating to this amazing country and want to be part of its buzzing city life or mesmerizing country side then surely you need to be hyper-vigilant while seeking the Apartments in Denmark. Your decision regarding your House in Denmark will significantly influence your overall experience of living in the country. There are certain aspects that need to be taken in consideration like: city you choose to live, the rent or cost of property, locality, facilities, access to transports etc. Certainly this list is endless and can be stressing when compare to leaving the comforts and familiarity of one’s home country. Hence, it is quintessential that you make your choices pertaining to your stay in new place, conscientiously.
Before you venture into some sceptical conclusions you need to be aware of the different types or category of Apartments in Denmark. To begin with, you can seek House in Denmark in 3 significant categories namely:
1. Renting (lejebolig)
2. Buying (ejerbolig)
3. Housing co-operatives (andelsbolig)
We will discuss these three options one by one so that you can assess your preferences and convenient zones that leads you to apt choice in selecting Apartments in Denmark.
1. Renting a House in Denmark:
Firstly, there is renting option available to you and it is one of the most sought after option for the new comers. There are ample resources that can help you in having the access to the available houses and apartments in your preferred city. But first of all let’s know about the different renting options that you can avail:
• Renting Private Housing:
This renting option can be availed by the interested people through the landlords or property agencies. Whosoever you are dealing with requires you to sign a contract and hence, you need to be vigilant in deciding the various parameters of this renting option. There is choice between the furnished and unfurnished private housing. In the former, the basic furnishing items are available and in case of the later it is absent. But in some cases in unfinished housing the kitchen equipments are present. It tends to be dependent upon the unique situations and your luck!
The most important thing to keep in mind is the financial aspect. The furnished houses tend to be quite expensive than the unfurnished ones. Therefore, you need to seek your budget limitations before venturing into any of the choices. And, make sure that the items, facilities and financial details are clearly mentioned in the contract.
• Renting Public Housing:
Interestingly, there is also availability of public housing that is owned by the non-profit organizations or subsidized housing associations. They are very cost-effective options. But, as they are welfare oriented, hence, there is preference give to the special needs. Still it is worth exploring option!
If you are interested in exploring it further and want insightful information pertaining to this option then you can seek the National Federation of Housing Associations. It will help you locate the available houses and apartments in this very profitable category.
• Renting from a tenant:
Of course, then there is option of seeking rented accommodation straight away from the tenant. You can get the desirable features through this option as it will give you larger scope and range of choices. There are countless options on the internet and you can explore the images as well. It also helps you in comparing the ultimate cost of your selection in your preferred location. This will provide you with enough clarity of your choices and preferences as well!
Moreover, you also need to know about “tenant unions” or “housing associations” that are very active as well as quite efficacious in your search. They will help you by providing you various links and contacts of the landlords and the interested agencies. This can actually accelerate your search and help you get the desirable results in your quest for the perfect housing option for you and your family, and that also in your budget!
2. Buying a House in Denmark:
There may be the chances that you are looking for buying property in Denmark and for that ‘Estate agents’ and ‘building societies’ can help you in moving towards better options. By seeking the appropriate and reliable sources you can greatly reduce the stress and the hassle in acquisition of Apartments in Denmark. In addition to this, there is facility of loans is also available with the building societies. This is very profitable and sensible options for those who want to invest in property and have a long term vision of permanent stay in this sensationally beautiful country.
It is advisable that you seek well-researched resources as well as take care of the property tax information so that you can avoid complications and subsequent disappointments!
More and more houses are sold as “Selvsalg“. The Danish term for For Sale By Owner
3. Housing Co-operatives (Andelsboliger):
If you are invigorated in checking some other alternatives in housing facility in Denmark then exploring housing co-operatives can be really worthwhile. In this option, you can buy the shares of the co-operative and use it for accommodation. The positive dimension is that the shares can be sold if you are moving out, after some time.
Hence, now you are thorough with all the available options that can help you in deciding what suits your unique set of requirements. Fortunately, Denmark is never going to disappoint you in any way. In fact it will be making you feel comfortable and welcoming in all the possible ways. Once you have opted for the right place to live you will be able to make a smooth functioning life that will not only be fulfilling but enriching and buzzing. It is time that you start dealing with practical aspects of migrating to a new country and ensure solid foundation from the very ‘beginning’!
Useful links:
The Danish Tenants Association
In this modern era of 21st century life is full of tensions and stress. Everyone seems to be running in a mad rat race that probably has no end to it. People are earning millions but are still not contented and in fact, unhappy. Does it seem to be your own story too? Well you no longer need to worry and be unhappy because I know a place where everyone is happy and contented with no corruption or income inequality. If you are thinking that I might be joking then you are wrong because today I am talking about one of the happiest and incredible countries in the world named ‘Denmark’, fondly known as the Kingdom of Denmark.
Well you all must be wondering on what basis I am calling Denmark the happiest of all countries. Denmark has been ranked as the happiest country in the world several times as per various surveys. Apart from being the happiest nation, Denmark is also privileged to have the highest percentage of happiest employees in the world. Denmark also ranks number one in per capita income, income equality, and social mobility and ranks highly positive on Corruption indexes. Thus all these wonderful reasons make Denmark a perfect place for all to move here.
So if you planning to move to Denmark then this article is definitely for you and if you are not, then I am sure that after reading this you would surely plan to move to this amazingly beautiful country. First thing to know about Denmark is that it is a sovereign state ruled under constitutional monarchy and Queen Margrethe 2 is the head of the state. The climate is unpredictable and there are chances that it may surprise you often because there can be times when you’ll experience sun, rain, heat and cold all in a single day. So prepare yourself for it with layers of different clothing as most of the Danes do. Denmark is an extremely eco-friendly country so you must contribute your bit when you become a part of it. Most Danes do it by getting themselves a bike. Yes, 50% of Copenhagen’s population commute to work on their bikes, so take this mode of transport rather seriously.
Moving to a new nation means you need to interact with different people, so when you move to Denmark you must be well conversant with the local language i.e. Danish. And the best part about learning this language is that you can join various language courses in Denmark that are free of cost. Getting a job in Denmark is also not a very difficult task. So after having knowledge of the people, language, weather and job, your next big question should be about your accommodation.
You can have an accommodation in two ways; firstly you can rent Apartments in Denmark or you can go on to buy a house in Denmark. Let’s talk about the things you need to know about getting a rented apartment in Denmark. When you move to Denmark you can either contact a private landlord or a non-profit agency that will assist you in getting a rented apartment. Once you have finalized your apartment in Denmark, you need to enter into a rent contract with your landlord. However such contract is not compulsory but it is definitely desirable as it establishes the duties and obligations of both the tenant and landlord and being new in the country you are protected from facing any unpleasant surprises. The rent contract states the rent, period of lease and amount of deposit. As per the normal customary of Denmark, the tenant is asked to pay a deposit and three month’s rent in advance. However in order to protect its new immigrants from high rents, the Denmark government even provides rent assistance to the tenants based on their financial abilities.
Now let us have a look at the laws governing the new citizens or immigrants regarding buying of a house in Denmark. If you are a European citizen, then you don’t need to get Denmark’s government permission before buying any property here. However if you are not a European, then you must seek permission from Denmark government before entering into any contract. The next step after obtaining permission would be to approach a reliable and capable real estate agent that is well versed with the state of Denmark and its properties. If you are not having sufficient funds to buy a house in Denmark, then you can also approach Denmark building societies that offer you loans to make your dream of buying a house come true. The amount of loan offered varies from person to person and is strictly as per one’s paying capacity and income. Thus before applying for a loan in building society one must be in possession of a regular job with sufficient level of income. Before buying a house in Denmark you must have the knowledge of the value of your property, as in Denmark an individual is taxed on the basis of value of his/her house.
Another amazing feature of renting or buying an apartment in Denmark is that if you are short of funds or feel lonely at times, you can go in for co-housing. Co-housing is a concept invented in Denmark and a large number of Danes still live here like that. All you need to do is find the perfect people that are cooperative and friendly which won’t really be a problem because most Danes are like that. And then you can get an accommodation that has a common kitchen and you all stay together like a big family sharing all common responsibilities. Co-housing means less cooking, cleaning and your children too are very well taken care of. So don’t hesitate to go in for co-housing as it is a wonderful concept aimed at solving your housing problems.
Last but not the least, I would like to say that moving to a new country is never an easy task and it may involve many difficulties but all you need to do is stay in contact with reliable people and agents that provide you with the best deals possible. Always keep your eyes open so that you don’t get cheated. I am sure that you would never regret your decision of moving to Denmark because it is a beautiful place meant for beautiful people.
Copenhagen in Denmark is one of the world’s happiest cities. The way of life here is traditional, low on crime, cosy and friendly. The quality of life you will experience if you decide to move to Copenhagen in Denmark will increase a great deal once you make that move to this quaint and charming city.
The cost of moving to Copenhagen will depend on many factors, including the area you decide to move into and the time of the year you come here. There are over 1.2 million living in the urban central area of Copenhagen and if you include the outskirts and the metro region there are as many as 2 million here.
Many people that come to Copenhagen will discover that finding accommodation is not cheap but if you do have some reasonable budget levels you should be able to go straight into rented accommodation for around 150 Euros per night. This can prove a high cost but if you are sharing with other adults it can reduce the cost to more affordable levels. Many of the residents in Copenhagen are actually subletting their properties to a letting agency. This is where you contact a letting agency and it becomes the property manager; in other words, you will pay your weekly rent to the letting agency and deal with any problems in your apartment, such as a broken boiler or faulty light switch, directly to them and not the property owner.
Subletting usually comes for a limited amount of time such as six months, 12 months, 18 months or two years. The duration can come under constant review every few months from the letting agency and the property owner. You can sign up for an apartment with some of the many housing associations in Copenhagen. This way is far more affordable, particularly if you plan to stay for a period of more than two years.
You could also consider applying for a mortgage and buying a house in Copenhagen, or it may be cheaper to get an apartment in Copenhagen if you plan to live out here on your own. There are certain rules that will apply to foreign nationals and these will change depending on which country or part of the world you come from. You can find the rules and restrictions on the Foreign Ministry website, which is based at www.um.dk/en.
The capital city of Denmark is a place where the quality of life is said to be among the highest anywhere in the world. But the costs of living in Copenhagen can also be high. Like Britain, Demark did not decide to adopt the Euro as its currency, so the local Danish Kroner is still the main currency in the country.
So what are the likely costs that you can expect to pay for staying at a house in Copenhagen or an apartment in Copenhagen. At the current exchange rate the Danish Krone is worth around 18 cents, and the most economic way to stay in Copenhagen is to find a furnished room for a single person, either in a shared home or apartment block. A furnished room or apartment in Copenhagen will still give you access to the kitchen and bathroom facilities (although you may have to share with others) and you should expect to pay around 3,200 to 3,600 DK per month.
Therefore you will roughly be expected to find around $650 per month for the most affordable rates of accommodation. Small furnished apartments in Copenhagen are the most difficult to obtain as these are much sought after. It is possible to get one with one or two bedrooms in the urban or metropolitan area of Copenhagen by coming to the city as a single person, rather than a family. These properties are often available in the suburban part of Copenhagen and can be as cheap as 6,000 DKK (which is around $1,100 per month). These properties are also ideal for childless couples.
If you are looking for something bigger than a one or two-bed apartment in Copenhagen you will have to look for a property being let such as a three-bedroom apartment or house in Copenhagen. This will cost around 9,000 DKK, which is roughly about $1,650 per month. If you come to Copenhagen with a group of people (perhaps a business team or large family) it will cost around 12,000 DKK per month and you must expect to pay consumption charges on top of this. Consumption counts as gas, electricity, water, heat, phone, television and radio fees.
Deposits are the norm when you decide to stay in an apartment or house in Copenhagen and apartments often requires at least three months’ worth of rent paid up front as your deposit. A house in Copenhagen would normally only command one month’s rent up front which is returned to you as you leave the property.
Those living in cooperative housing in Denmark will be pleased to learn that there is a body that is set up to support and encourage this way of living in Denmark. ABF is the Danish Association of Private and Cooperative Housing and the body are not connected to the Danish government but are there to support the needs and services of those living in cooperative housing in Denmark.
How someone living in a cooperative function most effectively does and who can they turn to when there are problems? Essentially the ABF can offer a lot of help and advice and also motivate any political agenda for you, despite its NGO status. So, what is it like when you buy into and live in a cooperative in Denmark?
Anyone buying a house or an apartment that is within a cooperative housing scheme, it means you will be paying for the right to use that specific house or flat with your payment actually covering a share of the wealth of the cooperative itself. The payment is actually in the form of a deposit and is determined by the current economic status of the cooperative at the time.
Each cooperative has a list of different rules and regulations which members will need to follow and also determine the way the cooperative is run itself. As a member, living in the cooperative, you get a say on your living conditions, your surroundings, the way the cooperative is run and generally you will be part of the team, as it were. If you do not like the way the maintenance of the communal gardens are being kept up or you want the cooperative to hire more economical service men when fixing the boiler or servicing it annually, you can say so and your comments are taken on board by the cooperative at its regular meetings or via a forum online.
When you pay your rent (which is called andelsbolig in Denmark) you will be helping to pay for the interest the cooperative pays on the loans it took out, and your rent will also include expenditures, what some would call service charges or ground rent. There is an audit held every year that determines the current economic plight of the cooperative, which will set the levels of rent or andelsbolig you will eventually pay for that next financial year.
Use these links to find cooperative housing in Copehagen (Andelsboliger):
Bolig.com Andelsbolig i København – Cooperative housing in Copenhagen
Bolig.com Andelsbolig – Cooperative housing in General
Andelsboligannoncer.dk – For sale by owner site
Andelsbutikken – Cooperativ housing in Copenhagen
It is you – the resident that decides and determines how your cooperative is run. When you live in a cooperative you will be expected to get up close and personal with the other residents in your cooperative. There will be a sense of sharing, a feeling of family and a lifestyle where you will always feel as though you are part of a team. Often small communities of cooperative residents will sit down together and join in on a meal or a bite to eat with a buffet or nibbles. In the summer the cooperative members may get together on a communal patio and enjoy a barbecue together, chat and maybe talk about some of the issues of their cooperative that are causing concern or need addressing.
But it’s not all essential that you absolutely have to join in on everything. Some residents like their own space every now and again and it is up to them as to how much they wish to engage in the level of activity that takes place within the cooperative. Some prefer to be active and vocal members, others may want to just join in quietly on the odd meal or barbecue with other cooperative members. No one will force you to participate more, or less than the level that you have to decide to engage with.
In Denmark there are close to a quarter of a million privately-owned homes or apartments that form part of a cooperative. It is not clear as to how many cooperative associations exist in Denmark, because not all of them actually affiliate with the ABF. Currently there are almost 100,000 homes and apartments that are affiliated under the wing of the ABF, which represents just under half but the number is growing year on year.
Most member cooperatives can be found in and around the capital Copenhagen, where you will find a wide variety of ages and lifestyles within the given communities. Some cooperation associations are located in the town, others way out in the countryside.
It was throughout the 1970s when living in cooperative housing in Denmark really took off, and it was in Copenhagen where apartment blocks began the trend by turning into cooperative communities. It became possible in Danish law from 1976 for tenants to buy their apartments in Copenhagen and when this spread to the rest of the country over the next few decades, it became an extremely popular method of living in Denmark.