B1Norwegian

Repairs & Maintenance

These phrases will help you report maintenance issues, explain how urgent they are, and coordinate repairs with your landlord or property manager.

Key Phrases

Voice
Stating the problem in general · 3 ways to say it

Hei, det er noe som ikke fungerer her i leiligheten min.

casual

Hi, there is something that is not working here in my apartment.

A natural, relaxed way to open the conversation with a private landlord.

Jeg ringer fordi varmen ikke fungerer på soverommet.

neutral

I am calling because the heating is not working in the bedroom.

Direct and clear, ideal for contacting a property management company.

Jeg vil gjerne melde fra om en mangel i leiligheten.

polite

I would like to report a defect in the apartment.

Formal phrasing, often used in written complaints or emails to an agency.

Reporting a water issue · 2 ways to say it

Kranen på badet lekker ganske mye vann for tiden.

neutral

The tap in the bathroom is leaking quite a lot of water at the moment.

The expression 'for tiden' means lately or at the moment.

Vasken på kjøkkenet har gått helt tett.

casual

The sink in the kitchen has become completely blocked.

'Gått tett' is the everyday way to say a drain is clogged.

Reporting a broken item · 2 ways to say it

Kjøleskapet har plutselig sluttet å fungere i dag tidlig.

neutral

The fridge suddenly stopped working earlier today.

'I dag tidlig' specifically means earlier this morning.

Jeg har lagt merke til at låsen på inngangsdøren har gått i stykker.

polite

I have noticed that the lock on the front door has broken.

'Å legge merke til' means to notice, adding a softer, polite tone.

Asking for a timeline · 2 ways to say it

Når tror du at feilen vil bli reparert?

neutral

When do you think the fault will be repaired?

Uses the passive voice, which is very common when asking about repairs.

Er det mulig at dette fikses i løpet av uken?

polite

Is it possible that this is fixed during the week?

The passive form 'fikses' makes this request sound polite and indirect.

Explaining urgency · 2 ways to say it

Dette haster litt, fordi det er midt på vinteren.

neutral

This is a bit urgent, because it is the middle of winter.

'Haster' comes from the verb 'å haste', meaning to be in a hurry or urgent.

Vi må fikse det raskt, før vannet ødelegger gulvet.

casual

We must fix it quickly, before the water ruins the floor.

Uses 'vi' (we) to build cooperation rather than placing blame.

Arranging a repair time · 2 ways to say it

Når passer det for dere å sende en håndverker?

neutral

When does it suit you to send a tradesperson?

'Håndverker' is the general term for a tradesperson, like a plumber or electrician.

Jeg er stort sett hjemme, så de kan bare stikke innom.

casual

I am mostly at home, so they can just pop by.

'Stikke innom' is a very natural, colloquial way to say 'drop by'.

Giving access permission · 2 ways to say it

Vaktmesteren kan låse seg inn hvis jeg ikke er hjemme.

neutral

The caretaker can let himself in if I am not at home.

Clear and direct permission. 'Vaktmester' is the building caretaker.

Det er helt i orden at dere låser dere inn med hovednøkkel.

polite

It is completely fine that you let yourselves in with a master key.

A courteous and clear way to grant access with the master key ('hovednøkkel').

Following up

Det har ikke kommet noen, så jeg lurer på hva som skjer.

neutral

No one has come, so I am wondering what is happening.

A firm but standard way to chase up a delayed repair without being rude.

Practice Dialogue

Tenant
Hei, det er Ola fra leilighet fire. Jeg ringer fordi varmen ikke fungerer.
Landlord
Hei Ola! Har den sluttet å fungere i hele leiligheten?
Tenant
Nei, det gjelder bare radiatoren som står på soverommet.
Landlord
Skjønner. Det må repareres raskt, siden det er så kaldt nå.
Tenant
Ja, det haster litt. Når tror du at det vil bli fikset?
Landlord
Jeg skal sende en håndverker i morgen. Er du hjemme da?
Tenant
Jeg er på jobb, men det er greit at han låser seg inn selv.
Landlord
Den er grei. Vi ordner det i løpet av morgendagen.
Tenant
Flott, takk skal du ha!

More Renting & Housing (B1)

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