Can my landlord enter my flat in Finland?
Only by agreement — the flat is the tenant's home. The Tenancy Act gives the landlord a right of access to supervise the flat's condition and to hold sale or re-letting viewings — but the visit must be agreed and arranged at a time suitable to the tenant. The misunderstanding runs both ways: entering with their own keys without permission is a violation of domestic peace, ownership notwithstanding — yet you cannot refuse reasonable inspections or viewings outright either, because a groundless refusal is the tenant's own breach of contract and can ground a warning. The exception is a genuine emergency: a leak or a fire allows immediate entry, with notice to you as soon as possible.
📋 The rules
- The tenant must allow access for supervising the flat's condition — without delay, at an agreed suitable time.
- For sales or re-letting, viewings are arranged at times suitable to the tenant — not unlimited, never unannounced.
- Entering with own keys without permission meets the elements of violating domestic peace — ownership grants no entry right.
- In emergencies (leak, fire, urgent damage prevention) immediate entry is allowed — notify the tenant as soon as possible.
- Refusing statutory visits can be the tenant's breach — reasonable inspections must be tolerated.
🔓 Exceptions
- Agreed maintenance visits (smoke-alarm battery, plumber) often run on a master key with the tenant's written consent.
- Long absences: the lease can set inspection practices for holiday periods.
- In an emergency (a leak, a fire, urgent damage prevention) entry is allowed without any prior arrangement — the tenant must be told as soon as possible.
⚠️ Penalties
Unauthorised entry can bring the landlord a fine for violating domestic peace plus liability for damages — ownership is no defence. In practice, repeated unauthorised entry also erodes the landlord's position in any dispute: a documented visit is strong evidence on the tenant's side. The consequence runs just as concretely the other way: if the tenant groundlessly refuses statutory supervision visits or viewings, the result can be a warning and ultimately cancellation of the lease. In both directions, what decides it is what was agreed in writing, and when.
📎 Sources
- Finlex · Act on Residential Leases 481/1995 (s. 22) →
- Finlex · Criminal Code — violation of domestic peace →
- Minilex · The landlord's right of access to the apartment →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can the landlord use their own keys?
Not without your permission — ownership alone gives no right of entry, and an unauthorised visit meets the elements of violating domestic peace. The only exception is a genuine emergency, such as a leak or a fire.
How often must I tolerate inspections?
Reasonably — once or twice a year at an agreed time is normal. Constant monitoring is not, and a groundlessly frequent visiting pace is a matter for negotiation, not the landlord's prerogative.
Can I refuse viewings?
Not entirely — sale and re-letting viewings are among the things the law makes you tolerate. The times, however, are agreed to suit you, and viewings cannot be sprung on you or held unreasonably often.
Can the landlord enter in an emergency?
Yes — a leak, a fire or other urgent damage prevention allows immediate entry without your permission. You must still be told as soon as possible, and an emergency is no pretext for an inspection.
What if the landlord entered without permission?
Document the visit (lock logs, witnesses, photos) and demand in writing that it stops. In a serious or repeated case you can file a police report for violating domestic peace and claim damages.
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