Looking for a rental home: how much rent and deposit are allowed

How much a rental flat costs

According to Statistics Finland, the average rent per square metre for non-subsidised rental dwellings nationwide was €15.94/m² a month in April–June 2026. Rents rose only 0.1% over the year, and in the Helsinki metropolitan area they fell 0.3%.

The rent per square metre for studio flats is clearly higher than for larger homes. In Helsinki the average rent per square metre was €21.34, for studios €26.71 and for two-room flats €20.37. For example, a 30 m² studio in Helsinki costs about €800 a month at the average studio rent.

Renting is common, especially among young people. According to Statistics Finland, there were about 1.03 million rented households at the end of 2024, and 83% of households under 30 lived in rented housing. Demand is concentrated on small apartments in growth centres, which shows up as a higher rent per square metre for studios.

Helsinki: 21.34 €/m² (studio flats 26.71 €/m²)
Espoo–Kauniainen: 18,82 €/m²
Vantaa: 17,80 €/m²
Tampere: 16,94 €/m²
Turku: 15.63 €/m²
Oulu: 14,20 €/m²
Jyväskylä: €14.65/m²
Kuopio: €14.98/m²
Lahti: 13.34 €/m²

ARA housing and municipal rental companies

The average rent per square metre of state-supported ARA rental homes was 13,47 €/m² nationwide, or about 2,5 euros per square metre less than in privately financed homes. ARA rents, however, rose faster, by 1,8 % a year.

You can apply for ARA housing through, for example, municipal rental companies such as Heka in Helsinki, VTS-kodit in Tampere and TVT in Turku. Tenant selection takes into account housing need, assets and income, so it is best to submit your application early and keep it valid.

Rental deposit: at most three months' rent

The Act on Residential Leases limits a rental security to an amount equal to at most three months' rent. The purpose of the security is to protect the landlord against unpaid rent and damage caused by the tenant.

A deposit is usually paid in cash into the landlord's account. Other forms include a deposit account in the tenant's name pledged to the landlord, a guarantee, or a payment commitment from the municipal social services. The landlord does not have to accept any form of deposit other than the one stated in the agreement.

In practice, a deposit is often one to three months' rent. According to Taloustaito, the landlord must keep the deposit separate from their own funds and may not use it freely; interest accruing on the deposit belongs to the tenant (2016). Pay the deposit only once the lease has been signed, and ask for a receipt for it.

When the deposit is returned

The deposit is returned when the tenancy has ended and the tenant has no unpaid rent or damage to be compensated. The tenant is not liable for ordinary wear and tear of the home, such as small picture-hanging holes, so these cannot be deducted from the deposit.

The law does not set an exact return time, so it is worth recording the return time in the tenancy agreement. According to Taloustaito, the security should normally be returned within about 1–2 weeks of the end of the tenancy (2016). If an amount is withheld from the security, ask for a written breakdown and photos of the damage.

When moving in, carry out a move-in inspection together with the landlord and record any defects and signs of wear. The same should be done when moving out. Photos and a joint inspection report are the best evidence if there is a disagreement about returning the deposit.

Tips for finding a rental home

Listings can be found on the largest housing portals, city rental companies and investor companies. Compare the asking rent with the area's average rent per square metre: in new tenancies the rent is usually slightly above the average, but in the Helsinki metropolitan area rents have now fallen, so there may be room to negotiate.

Beware of fees charged before you have received the home. According to a lawyer at the Regional State Administrative Agency, the rental agency's fee is paid by the client, i.e. usually the landlord, and charging it from anyone else is illegal (Yle 2018). Also do not pay a deposit or rent before you have seen the home and made sure the landlord is really its owner or an authorised representative.

A landlord may ask an applicant for consent to a credit check, income details or references from a previous landlord. Do not send your personal identity number or bank details until you have verified the landlord's identity.

Ask to see a written draft of the lease before committing.
Check the rent increase clause and the amount of the deposit.
Take photos of the condition of the flat on the day of moving.
Use Kela's calculator to find out whether you are eligible for housing allowance.

Housing allowance and total housing costs

A low-income tenant may be eligible for Kela's general housing allowance. The amount of support depends on, among other things, the household's income, size and housing costs, so it is worth calculating your own situation with Kela's housing allowance calculator before signing a lease.

In addition to rent, calculate water charges, electricity, home insurance and a possible parking space. Rental Radar shows current average rents per square metre by city and tells you when new rent statistics are published.

Frequently asked questions

How large may a rental deposit be?

At most three months' rent (Act on Residential Leases). The deposit is returned when the tenancy ends, if no rent is unpaid and there is no damage to be compensated.

Can the rent be negotiated?

Yes. Market-rate rents have stayed almost unchanged, and in the Helsinki region they fell 0.3 % year on year in April–June 2026, so there may be room to negotiate, especially for homes that have been advertised for a long time.

Who pays the letting agent's fee for a rental home?

The fee is paid by the client, usually the landlord. According to a lawyer at the Regional State Administrative Agency, collecting the fee from anyone other than the client is illegal (Yle 2018).

Rental Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Rental Radar →

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.