Can I take a subtenant in Finland?
Yes — half the flat is your statutory right. Under the Residential Tenancy Act a tenant may hand over at most half of the flat to a subtenant without the landlord's permission, provided it causes no significant harm. Handing over the whole flat (re-letting) always requires the landlord's consent. In an owner-occupied flat subletting is your own business — the housing company can't ban it.
📋 The rules
- A tenant may sublet up to half the flat without permission — provided no significant harm or disturbance results.
- Handing the whole flat to someone else requires the landlord's consent — otherwise it's a breach of contract.
- A sublease is its own tenancy: you become a sublandlord with duties (notice periods: 14 days for the subtenant, 1–3 months for the sublandlord).
- Sublet income is taxable capital income — deduct the corresponding share of your rent and costs.
- The subtenant's disturbances are your responsibility towards the landlord and housing company.
🔓 Exceptions
- Housing benefits: a subtenant affects them — report changes to Kela immediately.
- Student and municipal housing can carry stricter contract terms on subletting — those terms bind.
⚠️ Penalties
Unauthorised re-letting of the whole flat is a termination ground and can bring damages. Undeclared sublet income brings back taxes. Subtenant damage is collected from you.
📎 Sources
- Finlex · Residential Tenancy Act 481/1995 →
- Minilex · Subletting and tenant rights →
- KPF Law · Tenant subletting rights →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission for a flatmate?
Not if you hand over at most half the flat and cause no harm — it's a statutory right. Telling the landlord is still fair and practical.
Can I sublet the whole flat for the summer?
Only with the landlord's consent — whole-flat handover is re-letting, and without permission a termination ground.
What are sublease notice periods?
The subtenant may give 14 days' notice; the sublandlord 1 month (under a year) or 3 months (over a year).
Is sublet income taxed?
Yes, as capital income — but you deduct the share of your own rent and costs attributable to the subtenant.
🔎 What people search
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