Mould or damp — Kuluttajariitalautakunta · Finland

Direct answer

Mould is a health matter as well as a repair. Report it to the landlord in writing with photos and ask for the cause to be found — a leak, missing insulation, no ventilation — not just for the wall to be repainted. If nothing happens, Kuluttajariitalautakunta (kuluttajariita.fi) decides rent reduction and orders repairs; Kunnan terveydensuojeluviranomainen (ympäristöterveydenhuolto) (valvira.fi) can inspect and declare the home unfit for habitation, which forces the landlord's hand. Vuokralaiset VKL ry (vuokralaiset.fi) advises on what you can deduct and how much rent you can withhold.

Call firstKuluttajariitalautakunta

Report toKunnan terveydensuojeluviranomainen (ympäristöterveydenhuolto)

If that failsVuokralaiset VKL ry

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] there is mould in the [room] at [address], photos attached. It affects our health [symptoms if any]. Please have the cause investigated and repaired by [deadline]. Until then I reduce the rent by [%] from [date]."

🪜 Step by step

Photograph and date itWide shots and close-ups, a ruler for scale, the humidity reading if you have a cheap meter. Repeat weekly.
Ventilate and heatDocument that you do — landlords blame "lifestyle" first. Airing twice a day and heating to 18–20 °C removes that argument.
Report in writingAsk for the cause to be found. A repaint without fixing the cause is not a repair.
Inspection: Kunnan terveydensuojeluviranomainen (ympäristöterveydenhuolto)The municipal or environmental health inspection visits, measures, and can order works or declare the home unfit.
Tenancy body: KuluttajariitalautakuntaRent reduction backdated to the report, and an order to repair.

📇 All contacts

KuluttajariitalautakuntaRecommendations in tenancy disputes, freeWhen the claim is unpaid after the deadline🔗 www.kuluttajariita.fi

Kunnan terveydensuojeluviranomainen (ympäristöterveydenhuolto)Health hazards in housing, mould, pests, noiseWhen health is at risk at home🔗 www.valvira.fi/ymparistoterveys/terveydensuojelu

Vuokralaiset VKL ryAdvice for members on tenancy questionsBefore you write, on deductions and deadlines🔗 www.vuokralaiset.fi

Kunta — asiakaspalvelu / ympäristövalvontaNuisances, streets, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.kuntaliitto.fi

❓ Frequently asked

Is mould really the landlord's problem?

Mould caused by the building (cold bridges, leaks, broken ventilation) is. Mould caused only by never ventilating is the tenant's. The inspection decides which.

Can I leave without notice?

If the home is unfit for habitation and the landlord will not act, most countries allow termination without notice — get the inspection report first.

Can I claim for damaged belongings?

Yes, if the cause was the building and the landlord was notified. Keep receipts and photos; contents insurance may pay first and recover from the landlord.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“mould in rental landlord responsibility Finland”
“damp flat rent reduction”
“report mould housing inspection”
“unfit for habitation tenant rights”
“mould health landlord”

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🦠 There is mould or damp in my rental — who do I report it to?