Accommodation in Finland is usually in an apartment (asunto). Free-standing houses are rare in cities. For people arriving with prearranged work it is often possible to organize at least temporary accommodation through the employer. Many companies own apartments for the specific purpose of short-term use by employees, and some offer long-term contracts as well.
If your employer cannot help with accommodation you will have to try the free market, whether through advertisements in the newspapers (generally Sunday editions) or through an agent. Occupancy rates are high, particularly in Helsinki, and finding housing can be time-consuming. Agents' fees are average to high by international standards, so renting directly from the owner is the cheapest option. If you have friends or colleagues, have them help you look for housing - many apartments disappear through word of mouth before they ever reach the newspapers/agencies.
Online Searches: In recent years many Finland-wide and regional property
search websites have emerged, some even providing a little service in English!
However, the Finnish-only sites are generally quite simple and can be used with
a rudimentary knowledge of the Finnish language. A list of common search
terms is below:
Property Search Terms in Finland:
Alue - Region (ex. Uusimaa)
Aluetarkennus - District (ex. Helsinki)
Asunto/Asunnot - Apartment/Apartments (dwelling)
Asuntotyyppi - Type of dwelling
Etsi - Look
Hae - Search
Hinta - Price
Huoneluku - Number of rooms (often shortened to 1h, 2h etc)
Kaikki - All / Everything
Kerrostalo - Block of flats/apartments
Loma-asunnot - Holiday houses
Maakunta - Province (ex. Uusimaa)
Omakotitalo - Detached house
Paritalo - Semi-detached house
Pieni - Small
Pinta-ala - Size (square meters)
Rivitalo - Row-house
Talo(t) - House(s)
Tontti/Tontit - Land
Vuokra - Rent
Vuokra-asunnot – Rental apartment |
Agencies: Many agencies offer properties for long-term
rental (usually 1-year minimum) or for sale. Several large agencies which offer
online property searches are listed below. Commissions vary but it is not unusual
to pay the equivalent of one month's rent plus tax (currently 22%).
Banks, Insurance Companies and Foundations: Banks have
vast amounts of information on house hunting, mortgages, right-of-occupancy
properties, part-ownership properties and renting. Many banks, insurance companies
and foundations also own properties that they let out.
Useful Addresses
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