FAQ – Frequently asked questions
When can I apply? How long is my application valid?
Housing application can be made at any time. The application is valid for three months at a time, and must be renewed by e-mail after that, in case you have not received an offer by then. You will receive a confirmation to your e-mail after the application has been successfully sent.
Please note that our tenancy agreements begin from the 1st day of the month. Please consider this when applying. Unfortunately, we give no discounts even if your arrival date is later than the agreement’s starting date.
Where can I find information about the apartments?
The locations, the rent range, the layout plans, and the possible additional fees of our houses can all be found on our website. Unfortunately, it is not possible to give out any lists of available apartments.
The exact information about the apartment and the rent will be sent with the offer.
I want to apply with my spouse/my friend. What should we do?
If you wish to apply for an apartment with your family members, send a joint application with the person you’d like to rent the apartment with. The tenancy agreement will be made under both of your names.
If you and your friend want to apply for your own rooms in a shared apartment, please fill out your own apartment applications and add your friend’s info to the “additional information” section. In shared apartments, the tenants make their own tenancy agreements to their own rooms. Please note, that only the person who has made an agreement for a room in a shared apartment is allowed to stay in said room, only one tenant per room.
Only one of the couple is a student, can we apply for an apartment together?
Yes, it is enough that one in the couple studies full-time in Vaasa. However, the information of both applicants must be entered into the application form, as well as information about possible children moving with the parents.
I applied for a shared apartment. Do I need to find a roommate myself?
No. VOAS will find a roommate. If you have wishes concerning roommates, please let us know that when applying. If possible, we will try notice your wishes.
Is it possible for a continuing student to get an apartment in August-September?
Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee an apartment for continuing students in August-September, since all apartments that are becoming available during this time are reserved for new students about to begin their studies and move to Vaasa from another city or country. We recommend that continuing students apply for housing already for the summer months.
Which furniture is included in the furnished apartments?
The furniture includes a bed and a mattress (without a pillow, a blanket or a mattress pad), a desk, a chair, a lamp and a desk lamp, a wardrobe, a bookshelf and a trash bin. There is a fridge, an oven and a stove in every VOAS kitchen. In Linna apartments there are basic cutlery in the kitchen.
Which apartments are furnished?
Some shared apartments are furnished, but most of our apartments are unfurnished. Furnished rooms are located in Linna, Tekla II, Ahvenranta (buildings J, L, M), Olympia I and Suviboxi.
There is always a fridge, an oven and a stove in every apartment, even in the unfurnished ones.
There are 5 furnished studios in Linna.
I already applied. When can I expect to receive an offer?
The offer can be made approximately a month or two before the lease should start. Please note that all our apartments will be rented from the 1st day of each month.
For example, if you have applied from 1 August, you may expect an offer during the end of June or in July. If you have applied from 1 September, you may expect an offer during July or August.
Can I apply for a security fee from Kela?
You can apply for a security fee from Kela, but please note that VOAS does not accept payment commitments. The security fee can only be provided by direct bank transfer.
Can I change apartments?
You can apply to change apartments by filling in a new housing application. If you are able to move within one day, you don’t have to pay for two rents.
When you get an offer for a new apartment, you can accept it by paying the new security fee. The old security will be returned to your old agreement has ended.
Before accepting the apartment offer, please inform VOAS in case you need more time for moving. You can keep your old apartment e.g half of month and pay half rent together with the new apartments rent.
Is it possible for me to visit the apartment before I accept the offered apartment?
You can contact the housing office regarding showing of the apartment. In case the apartment or shared room is already empty, there is a possibility to check the apartment before making the decision.
I received the offer and have paid the security fee. What happens next?
After the security fee has been paid into VOAS bank account, the apartment is booked for you. You will receive the lease documents via email within the next few days.
Please note that if you arrive later than on the first rent pay day, you should send message to VOAS and ask for the paying instructions in advance, around a week or two before the due date. The rent due date is always 6th day of the month.
When can I come and sign the tenancy agreement?
After paying the security fee. You can sign the tenancy agreement via electronic channels or at the housing office. If you come to sign the agreement at the office, remember to have an official identification card with you.
When do I get the key?
The official time to get the key takes place on the first weekday of the month when the lease starts, i.e. not on weekends or evenings. You will need an identification card when you collect the key. If someone else gets the key for you (agreement must be signed in advance), then you should inform the housing office in advance of the personal data of this person.
I am arriving in the middle of the month. Do I get the key then?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to give the key before the agreement has started, if the apartment is not already empty. We cannot guarantee that beforehand. Please note this, if you arrive earlier than your agreement starts.
I am arriving/leaving in the middle of the month. Do I need to pay the whole rent for that month?
Yes. The rent must always be paid for the whole month, even if you would not arrive in the beginning of the month. We make no exceptions and give no discounts.
How do I get the internet in the apartment to work?
The internet is included in the rent and all you need is a plug wire, which has to be bought yourself. If you want to use a wireless connection, you need to have a router as well. More information about internet can be found here.
What is the apartment check form I received to my email?
The new tenant should inspect the apartment after the previous tenant has moved out. You will receive the form by email on the first day your lease starts. The apartment check card should be returned within few days after moving in.
The service company does not change fluorescent tubes, light bulbs or fuses. They are at your own responsibility. (Except the fuses in Puuvilla).
When should I cancel my agreement, if I am moving out?
An agreement must be cancelled one calendar month before departure. For example, if you want to move out in the end of December, you should return the cancelling form to VOAS office before the end of November. The cancellation form must delivered to our office on time. You can also cancel the lease electronically if you have a Finnish online bak account for identification. An e-mail is not a valid cancellation, you should attach the official cancellation form to it.
If you have a fixed-term contract (for a certain period), the lease cannot be cancelled. The fixed-term contracts are primarily for exchange students and under aged tenants.
How can I return e.g. the key when the office is closed?
You can return e.g. keys and cancellation forms to our key returning slot when we are closed. The slot is located on the courtyard of Raastuvankatu 11 on the left side next to the main door of building B. More information here.
Can I hand over the key to the next tenant?
Yes, but this must be confirmed with the housing office. If you hand over the key directly to the next tenant, confirm with the housing office that the person in question is the next tenant. After giving the key, always inform the housing office that the key has been given to the new tenant. VOAS must have the confirmation in written.
When is my security fee returned?
The security fee is normally returned to the account notified by the tenant within one month from the date when the agreement ends (i.e. not from the date of moving out, were this to be a different date). For foreign account information, please make sure that you have provided all the details needed for returning the security.
