Housing
Student accommodation is available with student housing associations and companies close to most Laurea local campuses.
Finland is one of the safest countries in the world, and all residential districts in Finland are safe to live in. Homes are well equipped and warm throughout the year, and even in cities, nature is nearby. Public transport works well in Helsinki metropolitan area.
Laurea University of Applied Sciences does not have its own student dormitories. Housing is available through the student housing company called HOAS and other private companies. Each student is responsible for applying for accommodation independently. It is recommended to apply for accommodation as soon as possible.
Facts about housing in Finland
- Rent cannot be paid in cash or by credit card, only by bank transfer directly to the company's account.
- The voltage of electricity is 230 AC (50 cycles).
- Plugs are two-pin continental sizes.
- Each housing association has a set of rules for living. These include, for example, times when occupants need to avoid loud noises.
- Occupants are not allowed to store anything in the apartment hallways.
- Smoking is forbidden inside apartment buildings.
Housing for students
-
Degree students
HOAS - Foundation for Student Housing
Hoas (The Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region) provides homes for students in the Helsinki metropolitan area. HOAS has nearly 19 000 tenants and over 10 000 apartments near study institutions in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen. Hoas is a non-profit foundation that works in cooperation with the student unions of the University of Helsinki and Aalto University, as well as 10 other university and polytechnic student unions.
Eligible students for Hoas apartments are:
- if you are a full-time student
- a degree student
- entitled to student financial aid
- school is in the Helsinki region or in the surrounding municipalities.
Check the updated criteria here.
The rent in Hoas apartments includes always water. Electricity is included in the rent in all shared apartments. As a Hoas tenant you get an internet connection as a free additional service. Hoasnet connection is free of charge for tenants, and you only need to have your own ethernet network cable and, if you want a Wi-Fi, a router. Additional free services in almost all properties include laundry room, sauna slots and storage spaces.
If Hoas cannot offer an apartment, see some of our recommendations below and a list of useful tips to help with the accommodation hunting.
- Be prepared to pay 500 – 800 euro per month for housing.
- Be careful with scammers - Never send money or your passport information to anyone.
- Consider renting larger apartments together with other students.
- Be prepared to live further away from the city center or campus.
- Check the transport connections from your apartment to the campus from the Helsinki Region Transport Journey Planner: www.reittiopas.fi/en
- Make sure you have a place to stay before arriving to Finland If you do not have a flat before arriving in Finland, remember to make a hostel or short-term housing reservation early.
Private market options:
- Antti Korppi Student House
- Both x Home
- Devenir homes fully furnished private rooms in shared apartments with competitive, all-inclusive rents starting from 499 €/ month
- Facebook group Apartments for students in Helsinki Metropolitan area
- Forenom has special offers for university students renting a room for a minimum of one month (30 nights). Prices 15 € - 20 € per room
- Hiisihomes
- Housing Anywhere - A student-to-student housing platform for exchange students
- Noli studios Furnished studio apartments starting from 660 €/ month + 39 € for utilities. Rent includes internet, water, electricity, and the use of the gym.
- SATO Porarinkatu 3: located in a tranquil area in Leppävaara, these unfurnished small homes are ideal for students. Rents for a studio are starting from 499 euros per month and the electricity is included in the rent.”
- Sherio A platform for renting a shared apartment with like-minded roommates. The site is free of charge
- Toivo studios, close to Leppävaara campus, small studio 650€/ / month + 49 € for utilities (50e discount with a code LAUREASTUDENT)
Other short-term housing options for the first few nights
- CheapSleep hostel
- Airbnb
- Couchsurfing
-
Exchange student
HOAS - Foundation for Student Housing
All incoming exchange students, BME and double degree students are entitled to apply for so called Hoas exchange student accommodations. Students studying in Hyvinkää have priority status in the Pasila (Junailijakuja) apartments in order to get to their campus smoothly.
HOAS apartments are located in different areas of the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo. HOAS accommodation reserved for exchange students is furnished with basic furniture. Students must bring their own towels, ethernet cable or wireless router and kitchenware. All the rooms have a free internet connection.
Places fill up fast and there might not be enough places for all incoming exchange students, especially during the autumn semester. Students are strongly recommended to apply and accept accommodation offered by HOAS as finding affordable furnished accommodation from the private market can be challenging. There is only one offer from HOAS per student. The tenancy agreements for exchange students are made for full semesters regardless of the length of your exchange. Note, that a fixed-term agreement with HOAS for exchange students in a furnished apartment cannot be terminated before the end of the tenancy. Exchange students can apply for the HOAS housing before receiving an official acceptance letter. International Services will inform HOAS directly of all accepted applicants.
The application periods for exchange student housing starts:
- 1st of April (Autumn Semester or Academic Year))
- 30th of September (Spring Semester)
Things to consider especially with private housing
- Be prepared to pay 500€ – 800€ per month for housing.
- Be careful of scams. Never send money or your passport information to anyone.
- Consider renting larger apartments together with other incoming exchange students.
- Be prepared to live farther away from the city center or campus.
- Check transport connections from your apartment to the campus from the Helsinki Region Transport Journey Planner: www.reittiopas.fi/en
- Make sure you have a place to stay before arriving to Finland if you do not have a flat before arriving in Finland. Remember to make a hostel or short-term housing reservation early.
Private market options
- Toivo studios, close to Leppävaara campus, small studio 650€/ / month + 49 € for utilities (50e discount with a code LAUREASTUDENT)
- Facebook group Apartments for students in Helsinki Metropolitan area
- Noli studios Furnished studio apartments starting from 660 €/ month + 39 € for utilities. Rent includes internet, water, electricity, and the use of the gym.
- Devenir homes fully furnished private rooms in shared apartments with competitive, all-inclusive rents starting from 499 €/ month
- Forenom has special offers for university students renting a room for a minimum of one month (30 nights). Prices 15 € - 20 € per room
- Hiisihomes
- Housing Anywhere - A student-to-student housing platform for exchange students
- Antti Korppi Student House
- Both x Home
Other short-term housing options for the first few nights:
- CheapSleep hostel
- Airbnb
- Couchsurfing
More information:
- Saara Vestu
- Planning Officer, International Affairs
- Saara.Vestu@laurea.fi
- Tel 09 88687143
Living in Finland
General information about living and studying in Finland.
Read more about living in Finland