Instructions for application
Adding apartments to the application
- Add to Favorites: Mark areas, properties, and apartments as favorites on our website so that they are ready on the application form when you start filling it out.
- Add areas, properties, and apartments directly in the housing application.
Applying together
If you are applying for a shared apartment with a partner or friend, fill out one joint application and include both of your details.
If you are applying for the same shared unit with a friend, each of you should complete a separate application and add your friend’s details in the designated field on the application.
Basic degree or post-graduate
Application asks you to define if you are a basic degree or post-graduate student.
Basic degree students are those who:
- Study to pass upper secondary matriculation examinations (Note: if you study in an upper secondary school for adults, check if you are entitled for student financial aid by Kela)
- Study for a basic qualification in a vocational school
- Study for a bachelor or master level degree in a university of applied sciences
- Study for a bachelor or master level degree in a university
- Study for a licentiate degree in the faculty of medicine, veterinary science or dentistry in a university
Post-graduate students are those who:
Study at the university for their licentiate or doctorate (except for the faculties of medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry). Post-graduate students must have a right to study and be attending students.
Identification method
You need to choose a method for identification. It can be Finnish personal identity code, EU identity card number, or passport. You can apply for an apartment without a Finnish personal identity code, but identity must be verified to sign the tenancy agreement, for example, with a passport.
Income and Assets
The application asks about income and assets because applicants with the lowest assets and incomes are prioritized for Hoas apartments.
Income
Income refers to regular monthly earnings, such as salary, adult education allowance, or adult study support.
The following are not considered as income:
- Student financial aid
- Housing allowance
- Social assistance
Also, include the amount of student loan you have already drawn in the designated field, as this will be considered when assessing assets.
Assets
Assets refer to property such as real estate, securities, funds, and forest holdings. Calculate the total value of your assets. If you own a home more than 80 kilometers from the Helsinki metropolitan area and are relocating for studies, the property will not be considered as part of your assets. Investment properties, however, are always included in the assessment of assets.
Also, enter the amount of any debt related to your assets in the designated field. Debts on assets are taken into account when assessing total assets.
Attachments
We verify your student status through the attachments you provide. You can add attachments to your application immediately after filling it out or at a later time. However, it’s best to keep your application’s attachments up to date so you’re ready to accept a housing offer as soon as one is available.
If you are applying for an apartment together with someone else, proof of studies from one tenant is sufficient.
Commonly Requested Attachments:
- All students: Certificate of enrollment or proof of student status (no older than 3 months).
- New students: Admission confirmation or acceptance letter, if an enrollment certificate is not yet available.
- University students: Transcript of records. An online printout is acceptable as long as it includes your personal details, completed courses, credits, and completion dates. You can obtain the transcript from your school.
- Underage applicants: Consent form from a guardian.
- If needed: Receipt for a paid security deposit.