Tips for Moving and Living

Before looking for an apartment

• Identify your needs: Do you need accessibility, workspace, or is your family situation changing?
• Assess your finances: Housing costs should be less than 50% of your net income.
• Sijainti ja arki: Valitse sijainti, joka tukee opiskelua, työtä ja sujuvaa arkea.
• Transport and costs: Consider commuting costs, public transport, cycling options, and parking.
• Choosing the neighbourhood: Think about whether you prefer proximity to nature, downtown or services.
• Necessity of moving: Carefully weigh the reasons and costs for moving.
• Explore areas: Use the city’s map service and local websites.

How to apply for apartments

The more places you apply to, the more likely you’ll find an apartment.

• Apply to several landlords (e.g. rental housing companies, private owners)
• Fill in applications carefully and reuse the same text to save time.
• Explain why you’d be a good tenant  – highlight reliability, ability to pay, and being a good neighbour. A letter of recommendation can help.
• Mention specific reasons for needing housing (e.g. divorce, children’s schooling, work/studies).
• If you have a credit default, explain your situation and ability to pay openly.
• Take care of any unpaid rents and request removal of default entries if needed.
• Start applying early and keep applications updated (usually valid for 1–3 months).
• Be flexible about the area, amenities and apartment features if you don’t have a home.
• Use announcements, e.g. Facebook housing groups.

Accepting an apartment offer

• Read the offer carefully and check the deadline to respond.
• If possible, visit the apartment before accepting.
• Respond on time, even if you decline – explain your reasons.
• Submit required documents by the deadline.
• For income-restricted apartments, include proof of assets and debts.
• Make sure the rental deposit is ready before signing the contract – do not make any commitments before the deposit and Kela’s payment guarantee  is confirmed.

Moving checklist

• Give notice on your old lease in advance to avoid overlapping rents.
• Confirm rental deposit before signing the new lease.
• Do a move-in inspection: record and photograph any issues, inform the landlord.
• Submit a change-of-address notification to Posti and the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
• Inform the housing company, property manager, and Kela if needed.
• Get home insurance or update your address with your insurer.
• Arrange an electricity contract in time, cancel the old one.
• Arrange internet and parking permits if needed.
• Check smoke alarms – buy if not included.
• Do a moving-out cleaning of your old apartment, empty the storerooms.
• Return all the keys as instructed by the landlord. 

Move-in inspection checklist

When you move in, the apartment should be carefully cleaned. If it isn’t, contact the landlord immediately to discuss arranging cleaning. Note any broken or unclean areas you want to report to the landlord.

Take note of:

• Kitchen: fridge, freezer, stove, oven, sink, dishwasher, cupboards, grease filter.
• Living room and other rooms: walls, floors, windows, doors, sockets, ventilation, smoke alarm.
• Bathroom: toilet, shower, sink, mirror cabinet, washing machine connection.
• Sauna: benches, stove, floor, walls.
• Balcony: cleanliness, glazing, floor.
• Storage: empty and cleaned.

Finally: Photograph the apartment’s condition and send photos and notes to the landlord by email. Documenting protects both parties.

Moving-out cleaning checklist

When moving out, clean the apartment thoroughly for the next tenant. If you have questions about cleaning or suitable products, ask your landlord.

Kitchen

• Wipe cupboards, drawers, surfaces.
• Clean taps and sinks, remove limescale.
• Clean stove, extractor hood, oven, dishwasher.
• Switch off and clean fridge and freezer, leave doors open.

Bathroom, WC, and sauna

• Clean toilet bowl, sink, floors, and ventilation vents.
• Clean mirrors, walls, floors, and sauna benches.

Other spaces

• Clean walls, vacuum and wash floors.
• Wash windows (only inside surfaces in winter).
• Empty and clean storage and balcony.

Finally

• Check light fixtures and smoke alarm.
• Close windows.

Tenant’s rights and obligations

As a tenant, you must keep the apartment clean and maintained, ensure fire safety, and carry out any agreed maintenance. Your rights and obligations are defined in the Act on Residential Leases (31.3.1995/481).

Rights:

• Normal life and peace at home: You can live normally, neighbours must respect your peace.
• Privacy: The landlord cannot enter without agreement.
• Notice of rent increases: Written notice in advance unless otherwise agreed.
• Termination and cancellation: Legal notice periods, right to cancel in dangerous health situations.
• Subletting: Allowed up to 50% of the apartment if it doesn’t cause problems.
• Repair notices: Advance notice of repairs – right to rent reduction or termination if living in the apartment becomes unbearable.

Obligations:

• Pay rent on time and follow the lease terms.
• Maintain and clean the apartment, report damages.
• Follow building rules – applies to guests too.
• Home insurance if required (always recommended).
• Get permission for modifications, preferably in writing.
• Use the apartment only for living (not e.g. business).
• Report problems to landlord or housing company.
• Inform about long-term absences.
• Allow landlord entry for agreed viewings or maintenance.
• Joint responsibility: spouses are jointly liable for the lease.

Care of the apartment

Maintenance is the tenant’s responsibility and it’s also important for your comfort. The apartment should stay in the same condition as it was at the start of the lease, except for normal wear. The landlord can provide guidance if needed.

Take care of the apartment:

• The apartment’s condition should remain the same, minor wear from ordinary use is reasonable and acceptable.
• The landlord can give advice if needed.

Typical maintenance

• Keep it clean.
• Clean the extractor hood and appliances.
• Defrost the freezer at least once a year.
• Clean the ventilation vents, floor drains, water traps.
• Make sure the smoke alarm is functioning properly and the battery is working
• Keep balcony and yard clean.

Duty to notify

• Report any faults and damages immediately to the landlord or housing company.
• Delayed reporting may result in liability.

Normal wear vs. damage

• Normal wear: e.g. furniture marks.
• Unreasonable wear: damage due to carelessness or improper use.
• Do a move-in inspection and document with photos at the start and end of tenancy.

Pests

• Report any sightings immediately to the property manager – quick action prevents from spreading.

Neighbour relations

Neighbourhoods can sometimes have disturbances like noise or conflicts. If issues are repeated, try talking to the neighbour causing the disturbance. If needed, you can contact the landlord or property manager to report it. The Neighbour Mediation Centre (in finnish) also offers advice on resolving housing and neighbour disputes.