HOUSING ALTERNATIVES FOR DEGREE STUDENTS
Shared flats
An ideal choice for international students who want to experience a true Finnish student life. In the shared apartment live 2 or 3 persons. These persons are of same sex. Every tenant has an own lockable bedroom. The kitchen and bathroom are shared. Shared apartments are available either furnished or unfurnished. If the room is furnished it means that it includes basic furniture: standard size single bed (no mattress), desk, chair, bookshelves and wardrobe.
You can apply for a mixed shared apartment together with a student friend of opposite sex. It is also possible to apply for a room from a mixed shared apartment even if coming alone, if preferring this option. If you want to apply for a mixed shared apartment please mark “mixed shared apartment” in the application form.
Single room apartments
Single room apartment is the most popular housing option. These apartments are a little bit more expensive and usually very hard to get. There are a limited number of these apartments. Usually there is a housing queue for getting a single room apartment. In this case, please prepare to wait for a relatively long time or alternatively you can choose another apartment type and apply for a change of apartment later on. Usually the waiting time is around one year.
Family apartments
In family apartments there are usually 2–4 rooms and a kitchen. These apartments are meant for couples and for families with children. It is also possible for a person living alone to apply for a family apartment. Often there are kindergartens and playgrounds in the nearby area. Some family apartments are on the first floor, so that they have own backyards.
INTERNAL CHANGE
Tenants can apply to another apartment via internal change if the life situation is changing. The change will be done as soon as there will be a free apartment matching the wishes. Please note that in August and September it is not possible to make any changes. Quite often there is a housing queue for apartments, especially for the most popular housing locations.
SERVICES
Rent includes water, electricity, heat and the use of Internet (Kyläverkko). The Internet connection is a top speed connection. All apartments have connections ready to use. All you need to do is to plug a cable wire and the Internet is running. For more information about the network and its technical capacity: www.yok.utu.fi.
The service men will help tenants if something is broken. Tenants can contact them via the notice of defect (www.tys.fi>Notice of Defects).
Housing complexes have saunas and at least one laundry. There are also some common rooms. In these rooms there are for example some equipment for different hobbies and some Finnish newspapers to read. Tenants also have hobby rooms, like for example a dark room for photographers and rentable meeting and party rooms. More information about these rooms from the Tenants’ Association (VY). Tenants’ Association also provides information about Residents’ Associations and other activities it organizes (www.vuokralaisyhdistys.net).
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The rules and regulations are given to every tenant when signing the lease. You can also see these under Tenant Information. We want to high light few matters:
- It is forbidden to keep pets in communal or shared apartments.
- Smoking is forbidden in all TYS locations, inside the flats as well as in all common areas (staircases, lifts, basements, common rooms, saunas and washrooms).
- Remember to respect everyone's right for peaceful living.
WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE WITH YOU
Students must supply their own curtains, bedding, pillows, towels, carpets, lamps, kitchen utensils, and cleaning items. Note, that if the apartment is furnished it DOES NOT include mattress in degree student apartments.
