Finland’s Act on Residential Leases changes on 1 October 2026 – what does it mean for Joo Kodit residents?
Can you smoke on your balcony? And if you have paid a rental deposit, how quickly will it be returned? Finland’s Act on Residential Leases (AHVL) will change on 1 October 2026. We have put together the changes that Joo Kodit residents should know about. Some also apply to existing tenancy agreements, while others only apply to agreements signed on or after 1 October 2026.
Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas
From the beginning of October, smoking will be prohibited in all Joo Kodit apartments, on private balconies and terraces, and in all shared spaces and outdoor areas of the property. This change also applies to residents whose tenancy agreements were signed before the law changes.
If your property has a designated smoking area, please use it and dispose of cigarette ends in the containers provided. Please also let your guests know about the smoking restrictions.
Is a partner, flatmate or another resident moving into your home?
Please let us know if someone new moves into your home. Keeping your landlord informed about who lives in the apartment has already been part of good rental practice, and this notification requirement is now also included in the law.
If you live with other people, please tell us in writing how many people live in your home. For adult residents, we also need their name, date of birth and contact details. Remember to let us know if someone moves out, too.
A deadline for returning rental deposits
You do not usually need to pay a rental deposit to rent a Joo Kodit home. If you have paid one, we will return it within 14 days of your tenancy agreement ending. We will always notify you in writing if we need to retain some or all of the deposit.
Electronic communication will be used more widely
You can already manage matters related to your tenancy with us conveniently online. The new law clarifies how formal notices and warnings relating to your tenancy, such as warnings, can also be served electronically.
We will agree on electronic service of notices with our residents separately, using a form accepted in writing. We will also agree on the communication channels and contact details used to deliver these notices.
Please keep your contact details up to date and let us know promptly if they change. Remember to check for messages sent through the agreed channel.
The landlord’s notice period will change
The new law changes the notice period landlords must give. If Joo Kodit needs to terminate an open-ended tenancy agreement signed on or after 1 October 2026, the notice period will be three months. If the tenancy has continued uninterrupted for at least two years, the notice period will be four months. We do not terminate tenancy agreements without strong grounds.
For tenancy agreements signed before the law changes, the notice periods will not change automatically. The tenant’s notice period will remain one month, as before.
What happens to belongings left behind after you move out?
Take all your belongings with you when you move out of your Joo Kodit home. Remember to empty your balcony, too, and check that you have not left anything in other spaces associated with your apartment, such as your individual storage unit or shared storage areas.
The new law clarifies how belongings left in an apartment after moving out are handled. If your tenancy has ended, you have moved out and some of your belongings remain in the apartment, we will handle them as required by law. Uncollected belongings may become the property of Joo Kodit once the legal conditions are met. Rubbish and other clearly worthless items may be disposed of immediately.
Can the landlord’s representative visit your apartment?
A Joo Kodit representative may need to visit your home if repairs are needed or if you are moving out and the apartment is being shown to prospective residents. We may also need to check the apartment’s condition. We aim to arrange visits at a time that suits both you and us.
