When can I apply?

The application form can be submitted at the earliest three months before the need of the apartment begins. The application form and additional information can be found here: Renting a Flat. For exchange students here: Exchange students. Do first read through the instructions carefully and acquaint yourself with our housing localities on our internet pages. Only such apartments/apartment types that are selected in the application are taken into consideration in the application process (except exchange students who can only prefer housing type). You will receive a confirmation to your e-mail of a successfully submitted application, at which time you will also be given a username and a password for the TYSKampus system. 

Only one of the couple is a student, can we apply for a family apartment together?

Yes, it is sufficient that one in the couple studies full-time in Turku. However, the information as regarding both has to be entered into the application form. As well as information about possible children moving with the parents.

The status of my application is on queue, what does this signify?

The normal status of the application is on queue. This means that the application still awaits an offer of an apartment and that the application is still in the queue for an apartment.

On which place is my application?

The applications are awarded points in accordance with a table that the Board and the Delegation of the Foundation have adopted. Applications awarded the same number of points are ordered in the queue according to the date when the application was submitted. The apartment queues fluctuate all the time as new applications arrive, offers for apartments are accepted and applications are cancelled. It is also possible to apply for several housing localities with one and the same application, therefore a change in one application changes all apartment queues for which the application is valid. The applications do not have separate numerical places, as the situations fluctuate all the time in real time. When distributing apartments, the branch secretaries process the apartment queue in real time. You can inquire for additional information as regarding the status of the application at the Housing Office. 

Is it possible for a student who has already begun his/her studies to get an apartment in August-September?

An old student cannot get an apartment during August-September, since all apartments that are becoming free during this time are reserved for new students about to begin their studies. Persons who have begun their studies already earlier should apply for an apartment for the autumn as soon as of July or as late as of October. 

When am I informed of a possible offer of an apartment?

Offers of apartments are normally sent about 4-6 weeks before when the apartment is needed, since TYS receives the information from persons moving out approximately one month before they move out. The offer of an apartment comes through TYSKampus and information on this also arrives in your e-mail. Due to the large number of applicants, we are regretfully not able to inform during the month in question those applicants who do not get an offer of an apartment. Normally the application is valid for three months; the applicant can continue/cancel the application through TYSKampus.   

Is it possible for me to visit the apartment before I accept the offered apartment?

In most situations the previous tenants live in the apartments of TYS at the time when the apartment is offered to the next tenant. In such cases the current tenants decide whether or not the following tenants are allowed to visit the apartment. The contact information of the current tenants can be inquired at the Housing Office, unless the current tenants have prohibited TYS to surrender this information to the following tenants. If the apartment is already fully empty and there is time before the offer expires, then you can borrow the key at the Housing Office for viewing the apartment before accepting the offer.

When can I come and sign the lease agreement?

You can come and sign the lease agreement at the Housing Office when the deposit has been paid. For the signing of the lease agreement you will have to bring along a receipt of the paid deposit, a certificate on student status/admission to a school (an official and valid student card is also acceptable, if it has the newest label on it), as well as an official identification card. You do not need to book a separate appointment. The office hours of the Housing Office can be found here: 

When do I get the key?

The official time to get the key takes place after 12 o’clock on the first weekday of the month, i.e. not on weekends or evenings. You will need an identification card when you collect the key. If someone else gets the key for you, then you should inform the Housing Office in advance of the personal data of this person.

How do I get the internet in the apartment to work?

The internet agreement is signed in connection with signing the lease agreement. The internet works immediately in the apartment, all the tenant has to do is to acquire a cable for connecting the computer with the internet outlet. The housing localities do not boast a wireless network on TYS's behalf. The network is maintained by the computer center of the University of Turku, therefore the tenant is to contact them in case of problem situations: kyläverkko

What is the apartment checking form to be filled when moving into a new apartment?

The new tenant should inspect the apartment after the previous tenant has moved out. See . The form is saved in the TYSKampus system, therefore you do not have to separately print it out and send it.   

How can I terminate my lease agreement on the apartment?

You can terminate your lease agreement over the internet if you have a Finnish social security number (not for exchange students who have fixed-term contracts). Please note that the form is only in Finnish/Swedish. If you don't have a Finnish social security number or you don't understand the form or you have questions concerning the lease you can visit the Housing Office for ending your lease. The form for terminating the lease agreement can be found on the main page: Irtisanomislomake. You will, normally during the following weekday, receive in your e-mail a confirmation of a successfully submitted form for terminating your lease agreement.

What does the check for the need of renovation signify?

During the month of termination of the lease agreement TYS's inspector will arrive within working hours (08:00-16:00) and make an inspection on the need for renovation. It is not necessary for the tenant to be present at the time. If you wish to separately agree on a time, you are to contact the apartment inspector as soon as possible after you have submitted your notice of terminating the lease agreement. More detailed instructions are sent along with the confirmation of a terminated lease agreement. 

Can I turn the key over to the following tenant?

You can turn the key over to the next tenant, if the move takes place for instance outside normal office hours of the Housing Office. If you do turn the key directly over to the next tenant, then you can confirm with the Housing Office that the person in question is indeed the correct person. Always, after surrendering a key, inform the Housing Office of the fact that the key has moved on to another person.

When is my deposit returned?

The deposit is normally returned to the account notified by the tenant within 4-6 weeks from the date when the lease agreement ends (i.e. not from the date of moving out, were this to be a different date). You can contact the Rent Secretary if there occurs anything causing questions as regarding the returning of deposits. For foreign account information please make sure that you have provided all the details needed for returning the deposit.

More answers can be found in the Tenant’s Guide: Tenant´s Guide