Tenancy agreement template: free template for a residential tenancy agreement 2026

Always make the contract in writing

Residential leasing is governed by the Act on Residential Leases (481/1995), which was amended by Act 531/2026 that entered into force on 1.10.2026. The Act has no list of mandatory contract items, but in a dispute what counts is what has been agreed and what can be proven. That is why all terms are worth recording.

According to the Consumers' Association's rental guide, even an oral agreement is valid, but it is deemed to be in force until further notice even if a fixed term has been agreed orally. Under the new section 5 a, an agreement made electronically meets the written-form requirement if it can be stored and reproduced. An agreement can therefore be made on paper or, for example, through an electronic signature service.

These details are recorded in the lease

The following points can be found in practically all landlord and consumer organisation contract templates. The more precisely they are recorded, the less room for interpretation remains.

Parties with contact details, and other residents
The apartment's address, size and other rented spaces, such as storage or a parking space
Start date of the tenancy and term of the agreement
Rent amount, due date and payment method
Water, electricity, sauna and other additional charges
Basis and timing of a rent increase
Amount, form and payment date of the deposit
Agreed electronic communication channel, if one is agreed
Smoking, pets, home insurance and number of keys

Fixed-term or open-ended

An open-ended agreement continues until one of the parties terminates it. A fixed-term agreement ends when its term expires and, as a rule, cannot be terminated mid-term. A combined agreement is initially fixed-term and then continues open-ended; after the legislative change, it can be terminated to end at the earliest at the end of the fixed term.

Notice periods and the model notice of termination are described in more detail in Vuokratutka's guide Terminating a lease, and other legal changes are collected in the guide Lease agreement 2026.

Rent, rent increase clause and deposit

Record the rent in euros per month, the due date and the account number. The increase clause must state on what basis and when the rent rises, for example according to the cost-of-living index in a given month. For agreements made after 1.10.2026, the increase must be notified in writing and takes effect at the earliest one month after the notice. How to calculate the increase is explained in the guide Rent increase 2026.

Under section 8 of the Act, a term under which the security exceeds an amount equal to three months' rent is void. Under the new Act, the security must be returned, or its retention notified, no later than 14 days after the tenancy agreement ends. Also record the form of the security in the agreement, for example bank transfer, deposit account or guarantee.

Electronic communication, smoking and residents

After the legislative amendment, an electronic communication channel can be used if it has been agreed individually and in writing. Notices of termination and cancellation, and warnings, can be delivered electronically only if a reminder message is also sent through another agreed channel. Record both an email address and a phone number in the agreement.

Under the new law, smoking is prohibited in the dwelling and on the balcony, but the landlord may grant permission if other legislation or the articles of association do not prevent it. The tenant must also notify the residents of the dwelling in writing once the landlord has notified them of the obligation.

Signing and move-out inspection

The contract is signed in two identical copies or electronically, and each party keeps their own copy. It is best to pay the deposit only after signing.

The Consumers' Association recommends a joint inspection at the latest when the dwelling is handed over. Any defects found are recorded in a memo, which is dated and signed. If a joint inspection cannot be carried out, the tenant can photograph the shortcomings with dates.

Copyable lease agreement template

The template below is an example, not legal advice. The names are fictional. Replace the parts in square brackets with your own details and delete the options that do not apply to your contract. For a landlord who wants to calculate rental yield and costs before letting, Tutkat.fi's tools include a paid Landlord's Calculation and document templates (including a notice of termination, a notice of rent increase and an inspection report).

Template: Residential lease agreement

1. Landlord: Maija Meikäläinen, [date of birth or business ID], [address], [phone], [email]

2. Tenant: Matti Meikäläinen, [date of birth], [current address], [phone], [email]. Other residents: [names]

3. Rented apartment: [street address, apartment], [postcode and city], [number of rooms and floor area m²]. Also rented: [storage, parking space, sauna]. [number] keys are handed over.

4. Term of the agreement: the tenancy begins on [dd.mm.yyyy]. Choose: [valid until further notice] OR [fixed-term, ending dd.mm.yyyy] OR [fixed-term until dd.mm.yyyy, after which it continues until further notice].

5. Rent: [amount] €/month, paid monthly no later than the [day] day of the month to account [IBAN], with reference [reference].

6. Other charges: water [€/person/month or by consumption], electricity [tenant's own contract / included], parking space [€/month], other [ ].

7. Rent increase: the rent will be increased annually from [dd.mm.] [e.g. in line with the change in the cost-of-living index, with the index figure for the month mm/yyyy as the base index / a fixed %]. The increase will be notified in writing.

8. Deposit: [amount] € (at most three months' rent), to be paid by [dd.mm.yyyy] [to the account / to a deposit account / as a guarantee].

9. Electronic communication: the parties agree that notices may be sent to the email [address] and a prompt message as a text message to the number [number]. [Yes / No]

10. Smoking: [prohibited] OR [permitted as follows: ]. Pets: [permitted / not permitted].

11. Home insurance: the tenant [is obliged / is not obliged] to maintain home insurance.

12. Condition of the apartment: the apartment is handed over on [dd.mm.yyyy]. A move-in inspection is carried out jointly at handover, and the inspection record is attached to the agreement.

13. Other terms: [e.g. household appliances, maintenance responsibilities, known renovations].

14. Signatures: [place and date]. The agreement has been made in two identical copies, one for each party. Maija Meikäläinen, landlord – Matti Meikäläinen, tenant

Frequently asked questions

Is an oral lease valid?

Yes, but it is considered valid until further notice, and proving the terms is difficult. Always make the agreement in writing or electronically.

How large may a rental deposit be?

An amount corresponding to at most three months' rent. A condition requiring a larger deposit is void by law.

Can an old contract template be used in 2026?

Check at least the clauses on the combined agreement, rent increases, return of the deposit, smoking and electronic communication, as they changed on 1.10.2026.

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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.

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