Tenants

A home at Hoas is the first own home to many tenants. This is why many of the responsibilities are still yet to be learned. Your first own home might mean a lot of freedom but it comes with a lot of new things to take care of also.

Hoas has set a limited time of 5 years of occupancy on studios. What you need to do when you're running out of your limited time of occupancy depends on whether your occupancy limitation follows Hoas's old rules or the new rules that came into effect on the 1st of January 2016.

Mainly if no problems arise with your tenancy or rent payments, and you continue to study, the agreement can be extended.

Your key is for your use only, and must be handled with care and responsibility. Always take good care of your keys. You must not attach the address of the apartment or the owner's name or phone number to the key.

The keys given to you also give you access to shared tenant facilities like storage rooms and the laundry room. Keys to the hobby rooms and club rooms are managed by tenant committees.

Those living in Hoas housing can apply for a new apartment for example when their situation changes. An internal transfer means moving from a Hoas apartment to another Hoas apartment without a compelling reason. A transfer of right to occupancy means moving from a Hoas apartment to another due to a changed situation.

A student renting an apartment from Hoas can temporarily sublease their apartment to a third party during the summer months (June–August) or for the duration of a study-related work experience or exchange.

The impact that energy has on our daily lives is most obvious when the power is off. When the power goes out, you desperately try to rescue your valuable frozen foods and grandmother's jams in the weak light of a torch or a candle. You think to check on the computer when the power cut will be over, only to realise that the computer will not run either. Finally, you console yourself with the thought that at least you now have time to sit down to watch that movie you've been meaning to watch for ages – until you remember you can't.

A good neighbour takes other tenants into account and remembers especially certain things like sorting waste correctly and rules about silence hours. In cases of disturbances it is recommended to first try to discuss with the person causing the disturbance and if the situation doesn't improve be in contact with Hoas tenant support. Enjoy living in your student apartment but remember to respect your neighbours and flatmates!

Hoas apartments for friends are now roomie apartments. It is now possible to influence the choice of roommates when applying, but also during the tenancy period!

You can apply for a room in a roomie apartment with a new friend or a friend you already know. Alternatively, you can apply for a room that becomes free in an existing roomie apartment.

www.hoasmatchie.fi

We try to respond to fault reports as quickly as possible, but they are prioritised according to urgency (for example water damage as opposed to a dent in a door). The less urgent jobs are generally taken care of within a month. You should, however, take into account that certain times of the year are busier than others. For instance, as many people move in the autumn, getting repairs done may take longer than during the quieter periods.

The indoor air quality depends greatly on the apartment's temperature and ventilation. Some things are hard for the tenants themselves to change, but tenant actions can sometimes have a huge impact on how the ventilation works.

A leaking tap or toilet may not seem like a serious problem, but you should still notify Hoas as soon as possible.

According to HSY (Helsinki Region Environmental Services), a continuous drip from a gap the size of sewing thread will cause an extra cost of 75 euro per year. A gap the size of a thick needle will put the annual extra cost up to 750 euro. A continuously leaking toilet causes a water loss worth 7 500 euro and water leaking through a hole the size of a pencil can cost as much as 75 000 euro for the property. So if you have a leaking tap or toilet, please submit a fault report as quickly as possible.

There are many appliances and other devices in your home. Although some of those will have been provided by Hoas, it is still your responsibility to look after them. For example, changing bulbs and starters is the tenant's responsibility. To find out the most important things you need to take care of in your apartment, check the tenant responsibility chart.

Cleaning regularly on a weekly basis will make it easier when you move out and also ensure that you do your part in making the surfaces in the apartment last as long as possible. As a tenant, it is also your responsibility to look after the apartment. In this section, we have collected some guidelines and tips for cleaning.

Sometimes you may get unexpected visitors in your apartment. Do keep in mind that some insects you may find indoors are completely harmless, and you do not need to contact pest control to get rid of them. However, occasionally the insects may be pests which require proper pest control treatments.

Hoas' properties are maintained in a systematic manner. All the measures are aimed at property management that is ecologically sound and economically viable. Well planned pre-emptive maintenance can prevent many faults and problems and extend the life of our properties. Pre-planning and preventative measures can also help to bring down the cost of maintenance.

Hoas strives to keep its properties in good shape through daily work as well as through scheduled, concerted maintenance and repair efforts. Remember that in addition to this, you yourself have an important role in maintaining your apartment and the entire property. Creating a pleasant and comfortable living environment is largely down to the tenants themselves.

A pleasant living environment is a sum of many things, like a tidy general appearance, nice neighbours and a well maintained property.

It is your responsibility to ensure that there is a working fire alarm in the apartment. For more information on the differences between the fire alarm system, fire alarm and mains operated smoke alarms can be found on Hoas' website.

The Rescue Act prohibits the storage of goods in access routes, which is what the stairways of apartment blocks are classified as. The stairway is often the only means of escape, which is why the passage of residents in the stairway must be unhindered. In addition, goods stored in stairways can complicate rescue operations in an emergency situation.

In an emergency, please call the emergency number 112!

The general rule is that you should leave the area that is burning. In apartment blocks, each apartment is built as a separate fire compartment, which stops the fire from spreading easily from one apartment to the next. If there is a fire in your apartment, leave the apartment and close all doors behind you. However, you should not enter smoky areas. If there is a fire next door to you or if the stairwell is filled with smoke, keep the door shut and block any gaps around it to stop smoke entering the apartment. Call the emergency number 112 and wait for help on the balcony or next to an open window.

A rescue plan is required by law for any residential building with at least three apartments. The rescue plan details how you should act in various dangerous or threatening situations. The rescue plan takes into account any specific features of the property, as it is always drawn up individually for each property.  This is why there are many different rescue plans.

Tenant activities consist of activities our tenants engage in together; excursions, voluntary work days, parties, as well as shared equipment for hobbies. On the tenant activity pages you will find information, instructions and ready-to-use forms that can help to simplify the tenant committees' work.

Contact details for tenant committees:

asukastoiminta[at]hoas.fi

Hoas Asukastoiminta, PL 799, 00101 Helsinki

In Facebook: Hoas Asukastoiminta / Hoas Tenant Committees

The tenant committee activities are shaped by the property and the tenants living there. The important thing is to foster a community spirit and to make the property a pleasant place to live. The committee is responsible for the shared facilities, for example reserving and equipping the club rooms. The committee can also organise events, voluntary work days and excursions for the tenants.