On this page
- Where to look and what to expect
- Average rent in Helsinki
- Checklist for renters
- Important considerations
- Subsidised housing
![Renting a flat in Helsinki | Welcome Helsinki | City of Helsinki (1) Renting a flat in Helsinki | Welcome Helsinki | City of Helsinki (1)](https://i0.wp.com/welcome.hel.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/18A01-181-1013x675.jpg)
Renting a flat in Helsinki is a very popular housing option
Over 85 per cent of the city’s population lives in an apartment. Around half of the flats are rented and the other half are owner-occupied.
Where to look and what to expect
Most flats in Helsinki are small by western standards. This is because the average apartment size in Helsinki is 63m2. Typically, a flat of this size has two rooms (a living room and one bedroom), in addition to a kitchen and a bathroom.
Many newcomers to the city rent a flat on the open market. In brief, the main real estate websites areOikotie(Finnish only) andVuokraovi(limited English). In addition, the private housing companiesSatoandLumooffer options, particularly if you need to rent a flat quickly. It is a good idea to apply for housing in several places at the same time, if you can. Many of the flat diagrams are in Finnish only, so we hope the list of common terms in housing ads below will prove helpful in your search.
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Average rent in Helsinki
In Helsinki, a one-room rental studio apartment with a kitchen and bath costs around 600-700 euros per month on the open market. In the same way, rent on homes with two rooms (a living room and one bedroom), a kitchen and bath is about 900–1,100 euros monthly. Furnished homes are rare and more expensive.
Rent in Helsinki normally includes water and property maintenance. Sometimes it also includes broadband service, but in most cases, rent does not include the cost of electricity, phone or cable services . In most cases, people that rent a flat must purchase home insurance before they can begin living in the space. In addition, renters are required to pay a security deposit of one or two months’ rent.
What part of Helsinki is right for you?The MyHelsinki website has a great presentation of the city’s diverseneighbourhoods, specifically highlighting each of their different characteristics.
Checklist for renters
If you have recently arrived in Helsinki from abroad, you must first complete all of the tasks listed in our First Steps Checklist
First Steps Checklist
We recommend finding temporary short-term housing while you get to know the city and look for a permanent place to live
After that, look for housing on the open market and/or apply for subsidised housing
Main real estate websites
Low-cost rental housing from the city
Check out the services near the properties you are considering, to see which location is most convenient for you
Visit the property you are interested in and take note of any defects to avoid future problems
Study the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority’s information on tenant obligations and liabilities carefully
Before you sign a rental or purchase agreement, it is a good idea to read the information from InfoFinland in the links below
Once you have moved in, read the rules of your housing company and fulfil your obligations as a renter
At this time, if you have a small income, you can apply for a general housing allowance from the state benefits agency Kela
If problems arise with your housing arrangement or you find yourself homeless, contact the city’s housing consultation service
Important considerations
Rent is typically paid monthly. The due date is specified in the rental agreement. You must pay the rent to the property owner’s bank account. Therefore, you may not pay rent with a credit card or cash. |
Few people sublet in Helsinki. Keep in mind that if you live in someone’s flat without the property owner’s consent, you consequently run the risk of being evicted at short notice. |
Make sure all of your housing arrangements are made in writing and you receive a copy. Above all, don’t sign something you don’t understand. Request a copy in your language or have it translated. |
Note that renters in Helsinki may not make any changes to their dwelling without written permission from the property owner. |
Make sure there are no time limits on the flat’s availability. In general, property owners typically ask tenants in Helsinki to commit to a rental agreement for at least one year at first. |
You can terminate your rental agreement with one month’s notice. However, if your rental agreement is terminated by your landlord, they are required by law to give three to six months’ notice. |
Learn the rules of your building. You will find a set of rules about living in your building posted somewhere near the entrance. These rules include specific instructions for using the shared laundry room or sauna, as well as how your building deals with things like noise, maintenance and recycling. Your neighbours will take these building rules very seriously, so read them carefully. |
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Low-cost rental housing from the city
The City of Helsinki owns 63 per cent of the city’s total land area and as a result, over 50,000 government-subsidised flats. Occupants of these flats therefore pay a lower rent. For this reason, these properties are in very high demand and not often available.
Tenant selection for these properties is based on applicants’ income, net worth and housing need. In other words, subsidised flats are offered to those who need them the most. Before you apply, check the city’sselection criteriaand see if you fit the description.
How can I apply for subsidised housing?
Apply for low-cost Helsinki City Housing Company (Heka) housing by filling in a form found on the city’s rental housing website.