Secondary leasing
You can temporarily rent out your apartment to an third party during the summer months (May–August) or due to a temporary absence related to your studies (such as an internship or exchange program). The person involved in the secondary leasing does not need to be a student. Notify Hoas of the secondary leasing at least one month before the tenant moves in.
How to
- Fill in a secondary tenancy agreement with the person who will be renting the apartment. Always make the agreement in writing and use Hoas’s secondary tenancy agreement template.
- Notify Hoas of the secondary leasing through the “Forms” section of MyHoas. Attach the completed and signed secondary tenancy agreement, indicating the amount of rent you are charging.
- If the secondary lease of the apartment happens outside of summer months, please include a certificate related to your studies, such as an internship or exchange program. The certificate for the exchange must include the exact dates, your name, and date of birth.
Use our template to create the secondary tenancy agreement. Fill in the agreement carefully so we can approve it. In addition to signing, make sure to also complete the “time and place” section.
Download the secondary leasing (subleasing*) agreement template here:
*We are in the process of clarifying our terms. Please note that the secondary tenancy agreement is for now called a subleasing agreement. Use this agreement to secondary lease your apartment. If you are considering taking in a subtenant, see our guidelines for subleasing below.
Being a landlord
Follow the best practices of being a landlord and the instructions given by Hoas. You can find good information about being a landlord from The Finnish Landlord Association.
As a primary tenant, your tenancy to Hoas is valid even during secodary leasing. This is why you are still responsible for the condition of the apartment. If the apartment has damage caused by the secondary tenant, the invoices for repair work are forwarded to primary tenant. You should agree with your secondary tenant on how to handle these situations in advance.
Hoas can’t handle your tenancy related issues with the secondary tenant. For example, if your secondary tenant wishes to rent a parking space, you must apply for the parking spot on behalf of your secondary tenant. Secondary tenant is not given their own credentials to Hoas’ online services.
Things to remember in secondary leasing
- Furnished exchange student apartments can’t be secondary leased
- Room in a shared apartment can be secondary leased to one person. Pets are not allowed in shared apartments.
- Room in a shared apartment can be secondary leased only to a person of the same gender as the other tenants in the apartment.
- Studio can be secondary leased to one person.
- Family apartment can be secondary leased to the number of people indicated by the bedrooms. For example, an apartment with three bedrooms can be secondary leased to three tenants.
Rent
You can only ask for rent that you pay to Hoas.
Keys to the secondary tenant
Give the keys to your secondary tenant at the start of the lease yourself. When the secondary tenant moves out, make sure to get the keys back. Don’t leave keys to Hoas to give or return.
Home insurance
Make sure your home insurance is valid and covers the secondary tenancy. Inform your secodary tenant to have their own home insurance as well. If the secondary tenant damages your property, Hoas is not responsible. If there are damages to the apartment caused by the secondary tenant, we collect the repair costs form you. If you have any questions about home insurance, contact your insurance company directly. Hoas doesn’t offer home insurance.
Housing allowance and taxes
Notify Kela about the secondary leasing if you are entitled to general housing allowance. Allowance typically stops for the duration of the secondary lease. The rent collected from secondary lease is taxable income, so remember to take this into account when doing your tax return.
Notification of change of address
Remember to submit an official notification of change of address even for temporary living somewhere else.
Subleasing
Subleasing refers to a situation where a Hoas tenant rents out part of their apartment (up to half) to another person. Room in a shared apartment or studio cannot be subleased. Please contact our customer service if you live in a larger apartment and are considering taking in a subtenant.
Important to consider!
- Furnished exchange student apartments can’t be subleased.
- The primary tenant is responsible for the entire rent, other payments, and the condition of the apartment during the subleasing period.
- The subtenancy agreement can be either fixed-term or until further notice. If the primary tenant’s tenancy agreement is fixed-term, the subtenancy agreement must also be fixed-term.
- Both parties (the primary tenant and the subtenant) must be aware that the subtenant’s tenancy ends no later than the primary tenant’s agreement.
- The subtenant does not receive personal access to the online sauna and laundry booking service.
- Hoas recommends home insurance for the subtenant as well.