Right to occupancy
Living with Hoas requires full-time degree studies at a post-secondary educational institution. When your studies end or are interrupted, your right to occupancy also ends.
Always inform us of any significant changes to your study or other relevant information, such as switching educational institutions, interrupting your studies, or graduating.
Verification of right to occupancy
We regularly verify tenants’ right to occupancy. This verification requires proof of full-time studies. The guidelines for verification are approved by the Hoas board or an entity designated by the board.
You must provide requested information to confirm the validity of your tenancy terms and allow Hoas to obtain your study records from your educational institution. Providing false information or refusing to share required details may result in the termination or cancellation of your tenancy agreement.
When is the right to occupancy verified?
The verification of right to occupancy is usually conducted at the beginning of the year. Verification requests are primarily sent to tenants whose studies, according to Hoas records, are about to end or have already ended. The aim is to free up apartments for new students starting in the fall by terminating tenancy agreements for those who have completed or discontinued their studies.
Right-to-occupancy checks may also be carried out randomly or at other times. For example, in properties undergoing major renovations, verification may be conducted for all tenants.
Required study credits
University students must complete at least 20 credits per calendar year OR 40 credits over two calendar years. The standard practice is to calculate credits primarily over a two-calendar-year period.
The aim is to provide students with flexibility for completing final projects (e.g., a thesis) or temporarily reducing their study pace due to circumstances such as illness or parental leave.
If the credit requirements are not met
If you do not meet the credit requirements, we will request proof of the reason. Acceptable reasons include:
- Working on a final project (e.g., thesis or dissertation)
- Study-related internship
- Military or civil service
- Maternity or parental leave*
- Illness (case-by-case basis)
- Full-time participation in the board of a student union or association in the Helsinki metropolitan area*
*Note that childcare leave is not considered maternity or parental leave.
*Applicable Student Unions and Associations: HYY, AYY, METKA, HELGA, LAUREAMKO, O’Diako, ASK, HUMAKO, SHS, and the Student Union of the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Required documentation
Internship or final project: Proof of an internship or final project can include a statement from the supervising teacher detailing the duration, scope, and estimated completion date of the work.
Military or civil service: Acceptable proof includes a service order, military pass, service certificate, or other official documentation.
Illness: Documentation of illness requires a medical certificate that includes an assessment of how the illness has affected your studies. Additionally, you must prepare and present a study plan outlining how you will complete your studies.
Full-time participation in a student union board: For full-time involvement in the board of a student union or association in the Helsinki metropolitan area, a certificate signed by the organization’s secretary-general or chairperson must be provided.