Shared apartments at Hoas – Affordable living and a sense of community 

Housing costs in the Helsinki region can be high, and student budgets often feel tight. Many students therefore look for affordable housing options that leave room for everyday life. A shared apartment is one of the most practical choices. At Hoas, shared living offers good value for money for students who want to save on housing costs and enjoy a sense of community in their daily life.

– Hoas has shared apartments in 76 locations across many different neighbourhoods in Helsinki capital region. You might find a shared apartment that suits you perfectly in areas like Kalasatama, Kannelmäki or Viikki,” says Sanna, Development Manager at Hoas.

A shared apartment is a home shared with others, where each resident has their own private, lockable room. The kitchen, bathroom and any other shared spaces are used together.

Shared living is a good option for students who are just starting their studies and have recently moved to a new city. It offers a chance to meet new people and share everyday life, while still having your own space and privacy.

One of the biggest advantages of shared apartments is their affordability. Rent for Hoas shared apartments is significantly lower than for studios or two-room apartments, leaving more room in a student’s monthly budget. A shared apartment with Hoas costs an average of about 300–450 euros per month, while the rent for a studio apartment can easily exceed 700 euros. This means students living in shared apartments often have more money left for hobbies, travel, or everyday expenses. 

For many students, studying is a socially active phase of life. It often includes moving to a new city, building new relationships, and learning new everyday routines. In this situation, a shared apartment offers not only an affordable place to live but also an opportunity to develop social skills and get used to living together with people from different backgrounds.

Many students are pleasantly surprised by how natural and enjoyable shared living can be. Shared morning coffees, spontaneous cooking sessions, and movie nights make everyday life more fun. A shared apartment is not just a place to sleep and study – it’s also a chance to be part of a community of people in a similar life situation.

Many Hoas shared apartments have spacious shared kitchens where everyone can cook and eat together. Everyday life shared with others can lead to new friendships – sometimes even lifelong ones.

– Hoas’s buildings are also designed to support a sense of community. Life can easily extend beyond the walls of your own apartment. Many buildings have cozy common rooms or a gym. New and renovated buildings often also have a lounge area next to the laundry room, where you can meet neighbors or study while doing laundry, says Sanna from Hoas. 

Shared housing with Hoas might be the perfect option for you if:

You can apply for a Hoas shared apartment as soon as your place at the university has been confirmed. Your studies must be full-time, lead to a degree, and qualify you for financial aid. 

Fill out the online housing application. The application asks for information about your place of study, your income, and your assets, among other things. 

Your application is valid for three months. If you don’t get an apartment right away, update your application regularly – for example, once a month. You can also expand your application by adding areas or apartments. You can easily view Hoas’s areas on a map. You can also take the area test to see which area would suit you best.

Hoas offers apartments based on your application and housing needs. Shared apartments usually become available faster than studio apartments, but waiting times can vary from a few days to a couple of months. The highest number of applications is typically at the beginning of each semester.

You will receive a housing offer by email. Review the offer and accept it by the deadline. Sign the tenancy agreement electronically and submit the requested documents. Pay any deposit. Hoas only requests security deposits in special cases.  

Plan your move well in advance. Hoas provides instructions on moving in.