Housing issues

Social rental apartments are for families and individuals who need special assistance in finding housing.

There can be many reasons, for example:

• low income
• heavy living expenses
• disability, but no need for 24/7 assistance
• other social difficulties

Financial and social circumstances are assessed based on the Municipality of Garðabær's rules for social rental housing.

For your application to be accepted onto the waiting list, you must meet the following:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a legal residence in Gardabaer.
• Not be the owner of a property (in Iceland or abroad).
• Household income and assets must be below defined limits.

Income and Asset Criteria (2026)

Income

Annual income may be a maximum of:

• Individuals: 7,874,000 ISK per year.
• Couples and cohabiting partners: 11,025,000 ISK in total.

The threshold increases by ISK 1,969,000 for each child in the household who is younger than 20 years old.

Assets

Assets may not exceed ISK 8,499,000.

Do you want to know more?

You can contact the Garðabær Welfare Department staff by phone. 525 8500 or by email at leikuibud@gardabaer.is.

Applications for social rental housing are ranked according to a points system. The points are based on factors such as family status, social circumstances, income and assets.

Minimum level for individuals, couples and cohabiting couples

• No children: 4 points.
• With a child: 5 points.

The waiting list is updated regularly and the status of applications on the waiting list can therefore change every month, both moving up and down the list. When an apartment becomes available, not only is the score based, but an overall assessment of the applicant's and the apartment's circumstances is made. Therefore, it is not possible to say where on the waiting list your application is until it is allocated.

Renting in social housing is intended as a temporary solution. Changes in marital status, family size, or financial situation may lead to an annual review of the tenancy rights.

Each apartment has a fixed base price and on top of that is the price per square meter. The amounts change based on the consumer price index. The tenant also pays for electricity, heating and housing fund.

Prices in January 2026

• Base price per apartment: 76,802 ISK.
• Price per square meter: 1,207 kr.

You applies for housing benefit from HMS (Housing and Public Works Agency). The lease agreement must be registered in rental register.

The amount of housing benefit depends on the number of people in the household, their income and assets, and the rental price. More information about conditions and amounts can be found on the HMS website. calculator for the amount of housing benefit.

The accommodation can be:

• on the public rental market
• social rental housing
• on campuses
• halfway house

Apply for special housing support

You are applying for special housing support in Gardabaer service portal. The application deadline is the 20th of the month to receive payment for that month.

Housing benefit is paid out on the last day of the month.

Who can apply?

To receive special housing support, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older
• have a legal residence in Gardabaer
• rent in Garðabær
• have an approved application for housing benefits from the Housing and Public Works Agency (HMS).

15-17 year old students abroad

An exemption from the requirements for legal residence and rental housing is made for children aged 15–17 who rent a room in a dormitory or student housing for studies away from their legal residence. The support is 60% of the rental price and is independent of the income and assets of the parents or guardians.

Active housing search

You can apply for housing support even if you do not have a lease agreement if you are actively looking for housing. The application is valid for 3 months from approval. Payment begins when the right to housing benefit has been confirmed.

Exemption due to social circumstances

The Welfare Department can accept an application even if you are not entitled to housing benefit from HMS if you meet either of the following conditions:

• You have a minimum score of 6 in the assessment criteria and assets are under 30 million ISK.
• You have a minimum score of 9 in the assessment criteria and assets are ISK 30 million or more.

In this case, special housing support is 40% of the rental price, although to a maximum of ISK 60,000.

Unrestricted special housing support is 90% of housing benefit.

When will the support decrease?

The amount is reduced in the following cases:

• In total, housing benefits and support cannot exceed 75% of the rental price.
• In total, housing benefits and support cannot exceed ISK 120,000 per month.
• The rental price, minus benefits and support, cannot be lower than ISK 80,000.

Do you want to know more?

If you would like more information, you can send an email to husbot@gardabaer.is.