Know your rent lease: A Legal Guide to Housing Rights in Finland

The Finnish legal system is very protective of tenant rights (the person renting the house/apartment) in general, while demanding a few responsibilities. Tenant rights in Finland are primarily governed by the Act on Residential Leases (481/1995). In this article, I will share the main rights and duties that you need to be aware of before renting a house/apartment in Finland.

1. Make a rental contract

The written rental or lease agreement is the most important step in a rental contract. Even if the agreements look generic, it is a good practice to read the document. The agreement must be written clearly and should have details of rent, duration (whether fixed or indefinite), date of rental payment, notification period for termination of lease, rental increase, security deposits, other charges if applicable (water, internet, etc.), and various responsibilities of tenants.

Any changes to the terms must be mutually agreed upon and documented in writing. Tenants must pay rent by the due date agreed upon in the rental contract, and late payments may result in penalties or even eviction if repeated.

2. Tenant rights and obligations to lead a peaceful life

Tenants moving into a new place have the right to a peaceful life. Loud noises, shouting at late night, smoking/grilling in apartment balconies by neighbours are considered to disturb the right to a peaceful life. As a tenant, you are also obliged to keep your surroundings safe and peaceful. Also, no one in the housing company or neighbours can determine who can enter your home. As a tenant, you are primarily entitled to decide who may enter your home. Likewise, you cannot decide for your neighbours.

3. Landlord/housing company responsibilities in ensuring the rental space is in good condition

The landlord is primarily responsible for the condition and maintenance of the apartment, and the apartment or house is expected to be in adequate condition to live in. If the tenant notices any faulty condition that could affect the living conditions in the new place (such as poor heating, bad air quality affecting health, etc.), the tenant should immediately notify the landlord in writing. If the house has significant defects upon moving in, the tenant can ask for a reduction in rent or even have the right to terminate the lease. However, the tenants do not have this right if the fault was caused by themselves, for example, while the tenant was installing a dishwasher, a leak in the connecting hose caused water damage. Such situations are handled in case-by-case assessments.

4. Tenant's obligation to maintain the rental space

The tenants have the obligation to keep the apartment clean and in good condition during the rental period. Examples include keeping the kitchen stove surface clean, clearing floor drains, handing over the apartment empty, and in clean condition at the end of the tenancy. However, the normal wear and tear of the apartment over the years is expected, and the tenants are not liable for it. The marks on the wall for hanging pictures, fading of wall paints, etc, are regarded as normal wear and tear. Whereas sharp damage spaces, large dents caused on walls or floors can be considered as damages caused intentionally or negligently, leading to liability.

5. Termination of the lease

A non-fixed term lease can be terminated by the tenant or landlord through notice. When the landlord is providing notice, the notice period is six months if the tenancy has lasted one year or more, or three months if the tenancy has lasted less than a year. The notice period given by the tenant is only one month, and the tenant has to pay rent during this period. Unless agreed differently, the period of notice of the lease is calculated from the last day of the calendar month that notice is given; that is, if a tenant wants to move in July, they should give the notice by the end of May. Landlord terminating a lease demands acceptable reasons such as selling the property, moving in, or major renovation.

6. Following the housing association rules and subletting

Remember to follow the rules of the housing company or the housing association (järjestyssäännöt). They usually relate to common space use, such as the use of a laundry room, common saunas, car parking spaces, etc. Also, subletting, alteration, or causing structural changes by the tenant requires exclusive permission from the landlord. If subletting is allowed, the tenant has to follow the agreed-upon rules of the agreement.

Tenants are allowed to fix urgent and reasonable issues in the rented apartment if the landlord does not repair after being informed in writing.

7. Disputes and claims between tenants and landlords

Claims often arise due to the responsibility disputes in maintaining the rental space or due to the arrears in rent. Tenants can be liable for any damage caused to the apartment intentionally or negligently. Significant issues like water leakage, broken appliances, moisture damage, etc, should be reported immediately to the landlord/company in writing.

In such situations, the first approach is to contact and resolve with the landlord. If that does not occur, the tenant or owner can make a complaint to the Consumer Advisory Services. Determining whether the tenant or the landlord/housing company is responsible for maintenance requires a thorough legal assessment.

The liability evaluation also varies from case to case. The tenants should provide sufficient evidence to support their case. For instance, proof of the final cleaning or notifying the defects with evidence, such as photos or health inspector reports, can save time and money for tenants. If the tenant is unsure of the maintenance responsibilities, it’s a good idea to check with the landlord first. Also, taking home insurance in Finland is a good practice.

Induja Mony

Lawyer,

Lakiasiaintoimisto Jeslor | Law Firm