Renting an apartment in Finland as an American

Renting is the normal first step for Americans moving to Finland, and it is a well-regulated market. InfoFinland, the information service of Finnish public authorities, notes that about 30 percent of Finns live in rental homes, usually flats in apartment blocks, though terraced and detached houses are also rented. Homes are well equipped and warm all year. This guide covers the whole country; if you are heading to the capital, competition is tougher and the public rental queues are longer.

Who rents out homes

Homes are rented out by companies, private persons, cities, foundations, parishes, associations, insurance companies and banks. Some employers offer company housing, so ask your employer before you start searching. Rents vary widely between districts, and city centres of large cities are usually the most expensive.

Private and state-subsidised homes

There are two broad markets:

• Private rentals. Usually quicker to get, with higher rents.
• State-subsidised rentals. Many municipalities own rental homes, often cheaper, built with state subsidy and meant for people with limited funds who need housing quickly. You can apply if you are a citizen of Finland or another EU country, or have a residence permit for at least one year. Applications are generally online and need identification with online banking credentials or a mobile certificate; otherwise, visit your municipality's housing office.

InfoFinland warns that in the Helsinki metropolitan area there are many more applicants than vacant flats, while many smaller municipalities have homes available more quickly.

What landlords ask Americans for

Without Finnish credit history, preparation matters. InfoFinland says landlords usually require a good credit history and income or funds to pay the rent, and Kela benefits count as income. Some require a registered right of residence or a residence permit valid for at least a year, and a Finnish personal identity code.

Depending on the landlord, a housing application may need:

• your latest payslip;
• a copy of your taxation decision showing your assets;
• loan certificates;
• a copy of your residence permit or passport if you are not an EU citizen.

Applicants are frequently credit checked. As a newcomer, a Finnish employment contract and recent payslips are your strongest documents. Finnish law forbids landlords choosing tenants from discriminating on grounds such as ethnic origin, religion or nationality.

Reading a Finnish listing

Search online for "vuokra-asunto". InfoFinland lists common abbreviations:

| Abbreviation | Meaning | |---|---| | vuokra (€/kk) | rent, euros per month | | vakuus, vuokratakuu | security deposit | | h | room | | kph | bathroom with toilet and shower | | k, avok, kuk | kitchen, open-plan kitchen, kitchenette | | vh, et, oh, s | walk-in closet, hall, living room, sauna | | rakennusvuosi | year built | | asuinpinta-ala | floor area in square metres | | kerros | floor |

So "2h+k" is two rooms plus a kitchen, a common one-bedroom layout.

What comes with the flat

Rental homes almost always include kitchen cupboards, a refrigerator and a stove, and usually wardrobes and hall cabinets. A shower, taps and toilet are always included. Furniture is normally not included, though some homes are rented furnished. Always confirm the exact equipment with the landlord.

Viewing and agents

Private landlords often hold one showing for all interested people and hand out application forms. Decide quickly in popular areas. You do not need an agent; if you search yourself, you pay no commission. If you hire an agent to find a flat, make a written assignment agreement and agree the commission in writing in advance.

The lease

Always sign the lease in writing. It records the rent, the deposit and how to end the agreement.

• Open-ended lease: ends only when one side gives notice. Good if you do not know how long you will stay.
• Fixed-term lease: ends on the agreed date automatically and cannot be terminated early by either side.

Rent is usually paid monthly by bank transfer by the due date.

### Deposit

Almost all leases require a rent security deposit, usually two months' rent and at most three. You usually receive the keys after paying it. After a final inspection, you get it all back unless you broke something or left rent unpaid.

### Notice

A tenant's notice period is always one calendar month, usually counted from the end of the month in which you give notice. Give notice in writing and keep proof. A landlord's notice period is three months if the lease has run less than a year, six months if longer.

Costs beyond rent

• Water fee, often per resident, paid with the rent.
• Electricity contract, which you usually sign yourself.
• Heating, usually included with central heating, sometimes separate with oil or electric heating.
• Sauna, laundry room or parking fees paid to the housing company.

In a detached house, you often pay heating and waste management too.

Home insurance

InfoFinland notes that most landlords require you to take out home insurance. It covers, for example, damage to your furniture and belongings. Get quotes from several insurers and keep the policy active for your whole stay.

Pets

You may keep a pet in a rental home unless the lease prohibits it, and you must compensate the landlord for any damage it causes. Some landlords do not allow pets, so raise it before signing.

Alternatives to renting

About two-thirds of Finns live in homes they own, and InfoFinland notes that in the long term buying is often cheaper than renting. Prices vary widely: large cities cost more, while homes in rural areas and small towns are much cheaper but can be harder to sell.

Between renting and owning sits the right-of-occupancy home. You pay a right-of-occupancy payment, roughly 15 percent of the home's price, and then a monthly charge for use. These homes are available in the largest municipalities, and you need a queue number to apply, which you get from the website of the Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction. For an American planning a long stay, it is worth comparing with renting once you know where you will settle.

Renting from the US before you arrive

Landlords want to see the flat rented quickly and often hold group showings, which is hard to manage from abroad. A practical approach is to book short-term accommodation for the first weeks, register as a resident, open a bank account and then view flats in person. If your employer offers company housing, that removes the problem entirely.

Getting advice

The Consumers' Union of Finland, Kuluttajaliitto, advises tenants and landlords. Statistics Finland publishes quarterly rent statistics by town and number of rooms, useful for checking whether a rent is reasonable.

Checklist

1. Payslips, contract and permit copy ready.
2. Listing abbreviations understood.
3. Lease in writing, type and notice clear.
4. Deposit paid by the agreed date.
5. Home insurance and electricity in place before move-in.

Common questions

Can Americans rent an apartment in Finland? Yes. Landlords may ask for proof of income, a residence permit valid for at least a year and a Finnish personal identity code.

Are Finnish rentals furnished? Usually not. They include kitchen cupboards, fridge, stove, wardrobes and bathroom fittings, but not furniture.

Is home insurance required in Finland? Most landlords require tenants to take out home insurance.

Can I break a fixed-term lease in Finland? No. A fixed-term lease cannot be terminated during its term by either side.