You can change your student apartment if you like. Single room apartments / studios are not usually available immediately, so the applicant may have to wait for an offer for an available studio apartment. Larger apartments of 2-3 rooms and shared apartments are usually always available.

The first thing to do is applying. If you get an offer and you want to accept it, you should terminate your current contract. Remember, that the notice time for your current apartment’s termination is 1 month. In some situations it may be, that you would need to pay rent for both the old and new apartments.

Example 1: If we offer you a new contract that would start on 1.2.2019 in the beginning of January (let’s say on 10.1.2019), that would mean that you would need to pay the February’s rent for both apartments. More information about terminating the contract here.

Example 2: If we would offer that same apartment (new contract would start on 1.2.2019) in the end of December 2018 (let’s say 20.12.2018), you would have time to terminate your current contract during December, which would mean that your current contract would end on the last day of January 2019. In this situation you would not have to pay rent for both of the apartments.

Please keep in mind that in family residences the responsibility for termination, the apartment and the payment of the rent is shared even in the case of a separation, for as long as the tenancy contract is in effect. All obligations to Kuopas must be met before a change in residence is possible. You can’t change residence if you have not paid all of the earlier rents.

If you are changing your apartment within Kuopas, you have an extended move out time. This means, that you need to return the key of the old apartment only before 16:00 (normally 10:00) on the move in day of the new contract. As an example, if your current Kuopas tenancy agreement ends on 31ˢᵗ January and the new one starts on 1st February you have to return your old keys before 16:00 on 1ˢᵗ February.

Please see our instructions for the Notice of termination here.

Temporary absence

Residency can be paused for a certain period in the case of serving in the army or civilian duty, extended illness, practical training in another town or abroad or a similar reason. For this, you need permission from Kuopas to rent your residence to another student. Ask more from the Kuopas’ Housing Office.

Staircase

Normal movement, careful use of furniture and equipment, and instructions for children are usually sufficient together with the cleaner to keep the staircase in a demonstrable condition.

The staircase is also not a storage space. Locked exterior doors are part of the security of our houses.

Bulletin board

The bulletin board is Kuopas’ official information channel. The bulletin board contains continuously valid standard notifications and current notifications separately.

The bulletin board is maintained by service staff. Also follow the news on our website.

Common Storage Areas and Storage Bins for Belongings

There are storages dedicated to outdoor equipment, baby carriages and bicycles in every student building. Some of the residential locations have a limited number of wire cages for storing belongings for each residence in the basement or attic. You can take one storage for yourself according to the rules in the storage room.

These areas are not meant for storage of any belongings that may endanger fire safety, such as: mopeds, batteries, fuel, etc. It is not recommended to store any valuable assets in the storage facilities. It is also recommended that items be stored 10 cm above the floor limit due to possible water damage. Neatly maintained and tidy warehouses can also hold more stuff and, most importantly, are also easy to use. The storage of any loose belongings in other common areas is forbidden, and we also wish that old belongings not be abandoned in common areas. Tenants are responsible for moving any unwanted items. If Kuopas removes any items the owner of the item will be charged for the costs of the moving service.

Storing belongings in common storages is always at the tenant’s own risk.

See the instructions in your building’s storage room about how to use and reserve a storage room in that location: Storage locations.

Club Rooms for tenants

Some student buildings have club rooms that are meant to be used for spending time together. The club rooms are open to tenants, but their use must always be agreed with Kuopas.

The club room booker is responsible for any possible damages or cleaning costs incurred by themselves or their guests. All noises should be avoided between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.

Balcony

It is forbidden to grill food in the balcony.

Smoking is also prohibited in the balconies in Kuopas apartments.

Yard

The look of the yard area can be improved by the residents by getting together and arranging work parties. In buying plants, etc. Kuopas will definitely be involved along with the tenants. It is forbidden to make an open fire in the yard. Some student buildings have a grill place in the yard. Please note that only charcoal can be used for grilling. Do not use wood.

The upkeep of yards as well as the greens and plantings are taken care of by ISS services. Residents may help with the yard`s upkeep by taking care of their own belongings and by respecting delicate plants, greens, etc.

Gyms

Some of the Kuopas properties have gyms intended for tenants’ use. Please make sure that the gym rooms remain clean after use and that the weights and equipments are back in their places. The gyms should not be used during the quiet time between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Excess noise in gyms, as in other common areas, should be avoided. Exercising in the gym is tenant’s own responsibility.

Gyms can be found at the locations mentioned below:

• Haapaniementie 24 / Hermannin aukio 1 (Haapaniementie 24, A-stair)
• Katiskaniementie 6 (E building)
• Metsurintie 4 (left from the N-stair entrance)
• Neulamäentie 3 (between C- and D-stairs)
• Rosokuja 3 (A building)
• Samoilijantie 6 (E building)
• Taivaanpankontie 15 (between A and B buildings, 3ʳᵈ floor)

Mail

Depending on the site and the type of building, mail is delivered either directly to the apartment or to a separate letter box.

Moving Around in the Residential Area

Driving and parking on courtyards and walkways with a motor vehicle is prohibited in all cases except when moving in or out. As many yards are very complex in structure and small children are frequent on walkways and courtyards, bicyclists are also to take great care in the residential area. Also, when hauling a moving load, it should be remembered that grassy areas are not driveways and any excess parking disturbs other traffic and maintenance work.

When walking your pet, please consider your neighbours. Droppings are to be picked up.

Public transport

The apartments are along good transport connections and close education institutions. Public transport timetables and route information are available from your local transport company.

https://vilkku.kuopio.fi/en

If your peace has been disturbed

Notice that there has to be silence in Kuopas’ buildings from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. In most cases the differences can be dealt with by conversation. Notify the person disturbing you either by a personal visit or putting a note to their mail box.

First try to talk about matters with the tenants involved. If the disturbances continue, you can make a written complaint to the Kuopas housing office.  Please, use the disturbance notice form. Your complaint is handled confidentially. After this, matters are handled according to Kuopas’ Rules of order and the Finnish laws governing rental of residences.

As a general rule, disturbance reports require information from two reporters. You can ask, for example, your neighbors if they have experienced the same disturbance as you. This way, you can make a disturbance report together. If another reporter cannot be found, still make a disturbance report so that we can examine the situation.

For legal reasons, the complaint must be signed, which is why email is not acceptable.

We ask the person making the disturbance report to keep a disturbance diary immediately after the first report. This ensures the collection of evidence in case legal action is needed due to the disturbance incident.

Is your roommate disturbing you? Also see “Rules in a shared apartment” below.

Terminating the lease agreement generally requires at least three disturbance reports within 12 months. However, for example, continuous smoking can directly result in a termination warning and the termination of the lease agreement.

Would your partner or friend like to move in with you? You have to inform Kuopas about the move. First, the person whose name is on the contract should contact our customer service and inform us of the moving party. We will then guide you further.

Is a tenant moving out of the apartment? Please contact Kuopas customer service first so that we can assess the situation. If one party to the contract wants to move out and the other wants to stay in the apartment, both parties must fill in a hard copy of the termination form. Please do not give notice in any other way, otherwise the apartment will automatically become vacant and may be offered to someone else. Fill in the paper forms together and write on the form of the person staying that they are not moving out. This will enable us to conclude a new tenancy agreement in the name of the person staying only.

How long can I live in Kuopas’ apartments?

Kuopas’ apartments are meant for students who study in some of the following institutions in Kuopio and its surroundings: University of Eastern Finland, University of Applied Sciences, high school or vocational institute. Tenant must be a full-time student.

You can stay in Kuopas apartment for the duration of your studies. Tenant’s obligation is to inform Kuopas when studies have ended. After graduating Kuopas will terminate the contract. If your tenancy contract has lasted over a year, the notice time for the termination from Kuopas is six months from the end of the month the notice of termination was given. If less than a year, then the notice time will be three months. Read more from the page Termination of contract.

University students are required to complete 30 credits during the last academic year or 60 credits during the last two academic years in order to maintain the right to occupancy. Second-degree students are required to have a certificate of attendance from the educational institution. Kuopas checks the tenants’ progress of studies regularly.

The credit limits are not used if the tenant is writing a thesis, is on an internship, is in the army, is pregnant, acts in a student organization, is on a parental leave or is sick. A certification is required as a proof. Credits are required only from degree students and postgraduate students.

The postgraduate student must provide evidence of the progress of their studies in order to maintain the right to occupancy in a student apartment. Please request the necessary evidence from your educational institution.

Only the persons named in the tenancy agreement may live in Kuopas’ apartment. Only one person can live in one shared room. In family apartments, at least one of the couple must be a student.

Recission of the Agreement

In the case of serious violations the housing association has the right to recede from the agreement without a notice period. These are, for example, neglecting to pay the rent, a disturbing and obtrusive lifestyle, transfer of the right of tenancy or giving up a portion of the residence to another party without the permission of the housing association, etc.

The tenancy agreement will be terminated immediately once the notice of rescission is served. If necessary, the housing association will request an eviction order from the county court.

Inspection of the Contract

As a tenant you are bound to inform Kuopas if there are any significant changes in the information you supplied when the tenancy contract was signed (example: end of studies, etc.). Giving incorrect information or refusing to supply information can lead to termination or recission of the tenancy agreement.

Living in a shared apartment – common rules

Shared apartment is a community where some rules are made together. A good relationship starts with a presentation; tell the other student who you are and where you come from. Also tell what kind of student life you wish to live.

The responsibility of the shared apartment is shared. If other roommate doesn’t do their chores, it doesn’t give you the right to not do them either. For example, if the common areas are in poor condition during the move-in inspection, the cleaning charge is distributed to all tenants. During the final cleaning, other tenants must help the mover in cleaning the common areas. The easiest way is to constantly take care of the common areas. If the other roommate doesn’t do their chores, try to talk them first. If it doesn’t help, please inform Kuopas.

House Rules of Shared Apartments

1. 1. Cleaning turns
      • Everyone must clean up their own mess.
      • Each person participates in turn in cleaning the common areas.
      • Common areas’ cleaning turns are marked in a shared calendar (you can use this Kuopas’ cleaning checklist).
      • Shared apartments’ common kitchen, hallway, bathroom and toilet must be kept clean togehter.
   2. Quiet Hours
      • Quiet hours start at 10:00 PM and end at 6:00 AM.
      • Try to avoid loud noises also outside of quiet hours, so everyone can study in peace.
      • In addition to adhering to Kuopas’ Rules of Order, agree on common rules for activities like watching TV and listening to music.
   3. Shared / Personal items
      • Decide which items you will use together and which are personal.
      • Always ask for permission if you want to use your roommate’s items.
   4. Inviting Guests
      • Agree together on whether guests are allowed and when.
      • Always inform your roommates in advance of guests’ arrival.
      • Overnight guests are allowed with the roommates’ permission, but staying overnight should not be continuous or long-term.
      • If you arrange a party and invite guests, you must also consider the comfort and study peace of roommates and neighbors.
   5. Write Down the Rules
      • It’s easier to follow common rules if they are written down. Use this Kuopas template as a guide.
   6. Other Considerations
      • Smoking is strictly prohibited in all (shared) apartments.
      • Keeping animals is allowed in communal living only with the permission of all tenants. Notify our customer service and your roommates if you have animals or if you are allergic.

What if roommates disagree?

If you have a problem with your roommate, try talking to him/her first. Acting nice always helps! If talking doesn’t help, then you can contact Kuopas’ customer service about the issue.

Also see “Disturbances” above.

Rules of Order

Kuopas’ Rules of Order has been accepted to ensure the well-being of Kuopas tenants. Everyone must behave in a way that is respectful of others. Tenants must ensure that their guests also respect these rules. Any breach of these rules may result in liability for damages or termination of the tenancy.

Kuopas’ Rules of Order can be found here.

Rent payments

Student housing is financed by government-subsidized loans, with rents calculated on a non-profit basis. Separate fees for electricity, sauna, and parking are included in the rent invoice. Furnished apartments have the furniture fee included in the rent.

Rent and other fees are due by the 5ᵗʰ of each month. If the payment is delayed, Intrum Oy, a collection agency, will charge normal overdue fees and interest. Your rent payment information is in your tenancy agreement. You can pay multiple months at once, but the due date cannot be changed.

Use the pre-printed rent invoices from Kuopas when paying rent. These are also emailed to you. Ensure you pay to the correct bank account and use the correct reference number. Don’t pay rent to the deposit account. All payments are by bank transfer. Finnish banks don’t accept cash payments, so open a bank account in your home country to make international transfers on time.

Please don’t send rent payment receipts to Kuopas; we don’t need them. If rent isn’t paid or is late, Intrum Oy handles the collection. If you receive a collection letter, pay the missing rent to Intrum. Their contact details are in the letter. You can also contact Kuopas with any questions about rent payments.

Decorating – Is it allowed to drill holes in the walls?

The fast turnover of tenants sets certain restrictions on interior decoration: the walls and furniture must remain intact for future tenants.

We hope that our tenants use free-standing furniture, hang pictures on the room’s ceiling-level hanging lists, and avoid all kinds of wall attachments.

All attachments, drilling, painting, alterations, etc., to the structures are generally prohibited. In exceptional cases, permission must always be obtained from Kuopas maintenance.

Room doors in shared apartments

Please note that the shared apartments’ room doors are locked. On the side of the lock case, above the lock bolt, there is an adjustment button with which the lock can be set to a locked or unlocked position.

Where to buy or donate kitchenware and furniture in Kuopio

Kuopio has many Second hand stores where you can buy donated kitchenware and furniture in good condition and with fair prices.

We suggest that you buy all your necessary kitchen equipment used and return them to the same place where they were bought. This is good for earth!

Kontti Second Hand Department Store

One of them is Kontti Second Hand Department Store, operated by the Finnish Red Cross. It locates in Leväsentie 2 (Kauppapaikka Herman), 70780 Kuopio, which is very near our Katiska (Katiskaniementie 6) location.

Link to their site: https://sprkontti.fi/kuopion-kontti
Unfortunaltey not all the sites are in English.

Contact information:
Open hours: Mon-Fri 9-18, Sat 9-16

2/3 of the proceeds of Kontti goes to the operations of the local Red Cross district. 1/3 goes to the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

You can buy all necessary kitchen equipment from Kontti. With around 10 € you can get a spoon, knife, fork, plate, kitchen knife, glass and a pot.

If you want to donate furniture, please call the customer service first. They will come and see if the furniture is in good enough shape to be sold. What is good shape?: The frame is not broken in any way, the fabric is clean and odor free, the fabric or leather is not broken.

When taking items to Kontti (like kitchenware), you can always bring them to the store. If the store is closed and the donation box is full in Kontti’s yard, please try another time. Please always clean or wash your items before you bring them to Kontti.

If you want to buy large furniture from Kontti, you can also buy a delivery service.

What you can bring or buy in SPR Kontti?:

• Kitchenware
• Home equipment
• Clothes
• Shoes, bags
• Books
• Toys
• Sports equipment
• Furniture (call and ask for pick up and valuation onsite)

What you can’t bring to SPR Kontti:

• Broken items
• Very large furniture or IT-equipment
• Chemicals, medicine

Buying used furniture?

Pests can enter the apartment through used furniture or souvenirs from abroad.

If you are moving into a furnished apartment, and there has been a tenant in the apartment during the previous month, a new mattress, blanket, and pillow included with the bed will be delivered to the apartment on the first weekday of the month. The delivery company will replace the mattress, blanket, and pillow using the master key if the tenant is not at home. If you move into a furnished apartment on a weekend or a public holiday, there might be a mattress, blanket, and pillow brought for the previous tenant that has not yet been replaced with new ones.

When buying used furniture, be cautious and inspect them for signs of pests.

If you discover pests in your apartment, especially bedbugs, please contact maintenance immediately.

When can I sublease my apartment?

A student renting a room/apartment from Kuopas can temporarily sublease their whole room/apartment to a third person during the summer months (June-August) or for the duration of a study-related work experience or exchange. During the study-related work experience or exchange subleasing the sub-tenant has to be also a student. During the summer months (June-August) subleasing sub-tenant can also be other than student.

The principal tenant has to provide certificate to Kuopas about the study-related work experience or exchange.

Subleasing a part of apartment to a friend

A student can also sublet a part of their family apartment to another student, for as long as they both are students.

As an example, you can rent a 3 room family apartment and sublease half of the apartmet to your friend. The other one is the principal tenant and the other one subleases half of the apartment to theirselves.

How to sublease Kuopas apartment?

The principal tenant is alone responsible for condition and rent payment for the room/apartment during subleasing time to Kuopas.

Please, notice if you sublease your room from a shared apartment, you have to rent your room from female shared apartment to female and room from male shared apartment to male.

The rent per month must not be higher than the rent with Kuopas. Renting through Airbnb and other similar services are forbidden.

Always fill the subleasing agreement in writing, please use this form: Subleasing form.

Remember to give one copy to Kuopas before subleasing time will start. It is forbidden to sublease your apartment without informing Kuopas. If you haven’t informed Kuopas that you are subleasing your room/apartment or if the conditions for subleasing are not met, Kuopas has the right to not approve the subleasing. Kuopas can also terminate your contract if you sublease your apartment without sending the documents to Kuopas.

If you are leaving your apartment for a lengthy period (e.g. for several months) and the apartment will therefore be empty, it is your duty to inform Kuopas about that. Please report it by sending a message via OmaKuopas. If you cannot use OmaKuopas, please send an email to customerservice@kuopas.fi.

Contract of transferring the keys outside office hours

The current and the new tenant can agree about transferring the key between them. The old tenant can choose if he or she wants to transfer the key to the new tenant; it is not required.

Read the contract before signing: Download the contract

The current tenant can also send an email to our customer service and state that Kuopas can give the key to the new tenant early. In this case the key should already been returned to our office.