Offers divorce apartments in Oslo

Tthings don’t always turn out the way you imagine, and suddenly you find yourself in a life situation that turns your head upside down. Going through a divorce can be difficult – especially if you have children. How should the distribution be?

The property development company Birk & co has tried to look at modern solutions, which has resulted in “divorce apartments” at Bryn in Oslo.

In these apartments, you can each have a separate apartment, with a hallway and a bedroom (for the children) in the middle, with a door at each end. In this way, the children have access to both apartments, and do not have to move between two different homes.

But has anyone chosen to go for this solution?

Sachiko Holmsen, partner in Birk & co, explains that they have not sold any so-called divorce apartments yet.

– There have been several interested parties, but it is probably a slightly new product for many.

Six women say: This is how we knew the relationship was over

A solution for children of divorce

The company saw that more and more people were splitting into apartments, or kept housing with the children, and rented an additional home during separation.

– The idea was to create an economic and sustainable offer, which can also cure loneliness.

Another solution is for friends who want to buy a home together, with their own rooms, in addition to shared areas.

– I prioritize hot dinners for the children, then I’d rather eat bread myself

Immature market

Holmsen says that they have learned a number of things through this process – including that the market is a little immature for splicing apartments. It is also quite new for the banks that offer financing, but Holmsen says that it is starting to work.

– It is difficult to sell such book concepts on the drawing board – people do not plan a divorce or to live with friends two or three years in advance. Timing for moving in must be short. We also know that women often have poorer finances after a break-up, and struggle to buy a home after a break-up with a partner. This is sad, and means that someone who is inside the housing market ends up outside after the break-up.

– We were in dialogue with a couple who wanted to buy a divorced home, but it turned out that the woman in the relationship did not have enough equity, so she ended up renting, while the man bought an apartment.

They have now entered into cooperation with financing companies, so that buyers can obtain financing via shared leasing models.

– I grew up in a home with arguments

– Too bad

Holmsen thinks it’s a shame that some people spend a lot of money on rental apartments, instead of paying down on something of their own.

– We think it’s a shame that there aren’t more people who want to join the housing market. There is a lot of focus on how difficult it is to get into the housing market, rather than possible solutions.

Not giving up yet

Although the divorce apartments have not been a success yet, Holmsen has not lost faith.

– We still believe that we will be able to find concepts that catch on, so that we can get more people into the housing market. Housing innovation takes time, and one must try and fail.

– What do you do if the apartments are not sold?

– The project is part of an innovation and climate program that focuses on future forms of living. We were allowed to test shared flats and divorce flats as a pilot. If they don’t sell, then we can convert them into conventional housing. But we try a little more.

Single father: – Crazy not being able to buy a cup of cocoa

– Skeptical

KK contacts psychologist specialist Stine Morris Haslund, who works in Psykologvirke, to ask what she thinks about divorce housing.

– Immediately I feel that I am becoming skeptical. The idea and intention are very good, but you cannot escape the fact that there are many potential pitfalls. I see a lot of challenges.

Haslund elaborates:

– Such a solution demands an extremely high amount from the parents, and one must have very clear and clarified expectations of how it will take place and look like in practice. You have to have good and clear communication, and not least trust in the collaboration. It also requires equally good dialogue and clarity towards the children. Many people forget to check in with their children after a break-up.

How honest should you be with your child?

The best for the children?

Whether a divorce apartment is a good solution for the children will depend on how the parents solve it, Haslund believes. The age of the children will also play a role.

– I really wonder how to solve it: If the parents each have their own week, so that one door will be “closed”, or if there is free flow. How will it affect the parents’ lives? It requires a lot of clarification in advance.

Haslund says that even if you as a couple agree on a breakup, and want to keep a friendship, it will (not always) hardly be that simple in practice.

– It is, after all, a dream that is shattered, and a future that will be completely different from what you had imagined. And how will it be with any new partners when you live so close to each other? The economic question is also a factor, and a potential source of conflict.

Became a stepmother of two: – How do you say “I can’t stand his children”?

Must be generous

Haslund has no faith that a divorce residence will be a good long-term solution – although there are always exceptional cases.

– It requires you to be very generous. But again: The idea is nice, and I like that there is a focus on the children. It is a huge burden for children to move around all the time when they are growing up, she says, and adds:

– For some it can certainly work, but I think you will face many challenges, so I would probably rather recommend living close to each other – and not so close to each other.