You can apply for a new Kuopas apartment if your needs or situation change. To be eligible, you must have fulfilled all obligations related to your current contract (e.g. no unpaid rent).

How to change your apartment:

1. Submit a new housing application.
2. If you receive a new offer and want to accept it, you must terminate your current tenancy agreement.

The notice period is one full calendar month. You may have to pay rent for both apartments if the new contract starts before the old one ends.

Extended moving time

If you’re moving from one Kuopas apartment to another, you can return the old key by 4:00 PM on the move-in day of your new contract (instead of 10:00 AM).

Example:

• New contract starts on 1ˢᵗ February.
• If you receive the offer in January, your current contract ends 29ᵗʰ February → you pay rent for both apartments in February.
• If you receive the offer in December, you can end your current contract for 31ˢᵗ January → you pay rent only for the new apartment in February.

Family apartments

In shared tenancy agreements (e.g. couples), both tenants are equally responsible for the apartment and rent until the contract officially ends.

Temporary absence

If you’re leaving temporarily (e.g. military service, study abroad, internship), you may sublease your apartment to another student. You need Kuopas’ permission to sublease your apartment. Please read more information below from “Subleasing”.

Find your building’s maps and info in the Building guide.

Stairwells

• Not for storage. Keep clean and safe.

Bulletin boards

• Official notices are posted here. Check regularly.

Storage rooms

• Store items at your own risk. Don’t store valuables.
• Keep items 10 cm above the floor.
• Store only in assigned cages, not in corridors. ➡ Storage room locations (PDF)

Club rooms

• For tenants’ use. Must be agreed with Kuopas. Clean by 10:00 PM.

Balconies

• No smoking or grilling allowed. Respect quiet hours.

Yards and play areas

• Use cleanly. No open fires. Use only charcoal in grills.
• Dispose of trash properly.

Gyms

Available at these addresses:

• Haapaniementie 24 / Hermannin aukio 1 (Haapaniementie 24, A-stair)
• Katiskaniementie 6 (E building)
• Metsurintie 4 (left from the N-stair entrance)
• Neulamäentie 3 (between C- and D-stairs)
• Rosokuja 3 (A building)
• Samoilijantie 6 (E building)
• Taivaanpankontie 15 (between A and B buildings, 3ʳᵈ floor)

➡ No use during quiet hours (10:00 PM – 06:00 AM). Train at your own risk.

Mailboxes

• Open with your apartment key. Remove all mail and ads regularly.

Yard movement and traffic

• Driving allowed only during moving in/out.
• No parking on lawns or fire lanes.
• Ride bicycles carefully — many children play nearby.

Pets

• Always clean up after your pets. Avoid disturbing neighbors.

Public transport

Apartments are located near schools and public transport.

More info: Kuopio region public transport

What to do if there’s a disturbance:

1. Talk first – most issues can be solved by kindly talking to the person causing the disturbance or leaving a polite note.
2. If the problem continues, submit a written disturbance report using the Kuopas form.
   • The form must be signed and submitted via OmaKuopas (as an attachment to a secure message) or on paper.
   • We cannot process anonymous or unsigned reports due to legal reasons.
   • Your report will be handled confidentially.

▶ Download the disturbance report form (PDF)

Important:

• Two reporters are usually required for action to be taken. Ask your neighbors if they’ve experienced the same issue and submit a joint report.
• If you’re the only one, still report the issue so we can begin monitoring the situation.
• After your first report, we may ask you to keep a disturbance diary to document ongoing issues.

Repeated disturbances

Serious or ongoing disturbances can lead to termination of the tenancy agreement, usually after three written reports within 12 months. In some cases (e.g. repeated indoor smoking), termination may happen after just one warning.

If the issue involves your roommate, see the section Rules in shared apartments.

Adding a new tenant to your contract

Would your partner or friend like to move in with you?

Please inform Kuopas about the move. First, the person whose name is on the contract should contact our customer service and inform us of the moving party. We will then guide you further.

One tenant moving out

If one person wants to move out and the other wants to stay:

• Contact Kuopas customer service first
• Both tenants must fill in a termination form on paper
  (Do not terminate the contract any other way – it will cancel the whole contract!)
• On the form of the person staying, write clearly that they are not moving out
• The person staying must also submit a new housing application
• Inform Kuopas how the shared deposit should be handled

This allows us to make a new contract for the person staying.

Kuopas apartments are meant for full-time students studying in Kuopio after comprehensive school – including universities, universities of applied sciences, and vocational schools.

How long can I live in a Kuopas apartment?

You can live in Kuopas housing for as long as you meet the student status requirement. Once your studies end, your tenancy must be terminated. Tenants are required to notify Kuopas of graduation or discontinued studies.

After your studies:

• If your contract has lasted over a year, Kuopas’ notice period is 6 months.
• If less than a year, the notice period is 3 months.

More info: Termination of contract

Credit requirements

To maintain your right to live in a student apartment:

• University students must earn 30 ECTS/year or 60 ECTS in two academic years
• Vocational and high school students must submit a certificate of attendance
• Postgraduate students must also provide proof of academic progress.

Kuopas checks tenants’ study progress randomly.

If your studies are delayed due to thesis work, internship, military or civil service, pregnancy or parental leave, illness etc., you must provide a certificate or official statement, and your case will be reviewed individually.

Who can live in the apartment?

• Only the persons listed in the contract may live in the apartment.
• Shared rooms are for one person only.
• In family apartments, at least one tenant must be a student.

Notify us of any changes

As a tenant, you must inform Kuopas if there are significant changes to your situation, like the end of studies or change in family status. Failing to provide correct information can result in termination or cancellation of the contract.

Immediate termination of the agreement

Kuopas has the right to cancel the tenancy without notice in serious cases, such as:

• Unpaid rent
• Repeated disturbances
• Subleasing without permission

If necessary, Kuopas may apply for eviction through the district court.

Living in a shared apartment is about community and respect. Set rules together and follow them.

Cleaning

• Clean up after yourself right away.
• Take turns cleaning common areas.
• All tenants are jointly responsible for keeping shared spaces clean.
  • If shared areas are dirty during move-out inspection, the cleaning fee is split between tenants.
  • Other roommates must help the one who is moving out with the final cleaning.
  • The best way to avoid issues is to keep shared areas clean at all times. If your roommates are not doing their part, try talking with them first – if that doesn’t help, contact Kuopas.

▶ Download cleaning checklist (PDF)

Quiet hours

• From 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM.
• Agree on noise levels, TV, and music use.

Items and shared spaces

• Agree on what items are shared.
• Always ask before using someone else’s belongings.

Guests

• Agree in advance on having visitors or overnight guests.
• Guests are allowed with roommate approval, but overnight stays should be occasional.

▶ Write your own shared rules (PDF)

Pets and smoking

• Keeping pets in shared apartments is only allowed with the consent of all tenants.
  • Please inform both Kuopas and your roommates if you have pets or if you have allergies.
• Smoking is strictly forbidden inside all (shared) apartments.

For conflicts, see “Disturbances” above.

Rules of Order

All tenants are expected to behave respectfully and considerately towards their neighbors. Tenants are also responsible for their guests’ behavior. Breaking Kuopas’ rules may lead to liability for damages or even termination of the tenancy.

▶ Read Kuopas’ Rules of Order (PDF)

Can I drill holes in the walls?

Modifying the apartment is generally not allowed. Avoid drilling, painting, or attaching items to the walls.

• Use ceiling-mounted picture rails for decorations.
• Use furniture that stands on the floor.

Any structural modifications require permission from Kuopas maintenance.

Used furniture – be careful

Always check second-hand furniture for pests before bringing them into your apartment.

➡ If you suspect bedbugs or other pests, contact Kuopas maintenance immediately.

In furnished apartments, mattresses, pillows, and blankets are changed on the first business day of the month if the previous tenant just moved out.

Locked room doors in shared apartments

Room doors in shared apartments are locked.

You can change the lock setting with the adjustment switch located above the lock bolt inside the door.

Rent payments

Rent is due on the 5ᵗʰ of each month. Separate charges for electricity, sauna use, and parking may apply, and these are included in the rent invoice.

• Use the reference number provided in your tenancy agreement when paying rent.
• Payments must be made by bank transfer. Finnish banks do not accept cash payments.
• Rent invoices are sent via email. Printed invoices are only sent in case of rent changes.
• Do not pay rent into the deposit account.
• Do not send payment receipts unless specifically requested.

Late payments

If rent is not paid on time, collection will be handled by Intrum Oy, which will charge late fees and interest.

If you receive a letter from Intrum, follow the instructions provided and pay directly to them.

Second-hand kitchenware and furniture in Kuopio

Buying used is an affordable and eco-friendly option — and Kuopio has great second-hand stores!

Where to buy

Kontti Second Hand Department Store (by Finnish Red Cross)
Leväsentie 2 (Kauppapaikka Herman), 70700 Kuopio
(near Katiskaniementie 6 housing location)
https://sprkontti.fi/kuopion-kontti
Mon–Fri 9–18, Sat 9–16

At Kontti, you can find:

• Kitchenware
• Clothes, shoes, bags
• Books and Toys
• Sports gear
• Furniture (ask first for pick up and condition check)

Donating items

You can return used kitchen items to Kontti. Please clean items before donating.
For large furniture, call Kontti first — they’ll check if the item can be resold.

• Accepted: clean, undamaged items
• Not accepted: broken furniture, electronics, chemicals, or medication

Used furniture and pests

Pests like bedbugs can travel with used furniture or items from abroad.

• Always inspect used items carefully before bringing them home.
• If you find pests in your apartment, especially bedbugs, contact Kuopas maintenance immediately.

Moving into a furnished apartment?

If the previous tenant has just moved out, Kuopas will deliver a new mattress, blanket, and pillow on the first weekday of the month. These are replaced even if you’re not home.

Subleasing

Allowed for summer, internships, or exchange programs.

• You must be a student during subletting (except in summer: June–August).
• Rent cannot exceed your own rent.
• Airbnb and similar platforms are not allowed.

▶ Use this form: Sublease agreement (PDF)

Partial subleasing

• Used when renting part of your apartment to another (e.g. sharing a 3-room apartment).
• You are the main tenant and fully responsible.

Important notes:

• The rent must not be higher than your own.
• Recommend tenant’s insurance for your subtenant.
• If subletting a studio to two people: 15€/month electricity surcharge and 20€/month water fee.
• Always send one copy of the agreement to Kuopas before the contract begins.
• Notify Kuopas if your apartment will be empty for a longer period.
• If you sublease your room from a shared apartment, you have to rent your room from female shared apartment to female and room from male shared apartment to male.

Contract of transferring the keys outside office hours

If your move-in day falls on a weekend or holiday, you can agree on a key handover with the previous tenant.

This is voluntary. Use this form:

▶ Key transfer agreement (PDF)

The previous tenant can also email Kuopas permission to hand over the apartment early — if the keys have already been returned.