Kojamo plc Press release 17 June 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
Did you get a study place? This is how you secure an apartment!
During the summer, young people’s study places are confirmed, which for many will mean finding their first home, and for some will even mean moving to another area entirely. Laura Koiranen, Sales Director at Lumo Homes, shares the best tips for securing an apartment: “Good preparation and speed in decision-making are key.”
Summer is the busiest time for changing homes, as young people’s study places are confirmed and many young people fly the nest for their first home.
Lumo Homes Sales Director Laura Koiranen’s tips for those looking for an apartment:
- Start looking for an apartment in time
- Define the criteria for your desired apartment as precisely as possible
- Compare and learn more
- Check the agreement terms
- Do not hesitate to ask anything that comes to mind
- Be prepared to make a quick rental decision
- Consider sharing an apartment as a cost-effective option
"Finding an apartment during a peak season can be challenging. That is why it is particularly important to start the apartment search and related preparations in good time," says Laura Koiranen, Sales Director at Lumo Homes.
Start searching for an apartment by determining your criteria
One important preparation measure is to consider the criteria for the apartment: the maximum rent, the desired location of the apartment, the size of the apartment and the desired level of furnishing.
“The Lumo website has a very convenient travel time search, where you can enter your future school, for example, and ask the search engine to look for available studios that are no more than a 15-minute bus ride from the school,” Koiranen says.
She also recommends using search alerts that will notify you of new apartments as soon as they become available. This helps you keep up to date with the housing market. Apartment viewings are a good idea, as they help you understand the apartments on offer.
"Another important thing is to map out the terms of the agreement and what is included in the rent in practice. When I was younger, an apartment I was thinking of renting would have also included yard cleaning, such as shovelling snow in weekly shifts. This only became clear at the end of the rent negotiations. For my active student self, the weekly responsibilities did not seem suitable, so I gave the apartment a miss, even though it was otherwise nice," Koiranen says.
A busy market situation calls for quick decisions
When you find the right apartment, you need to be ready to make quick decisions.
"In the prevailing overheated market, almost every apartment is snapped up quickly. You should definitely take a look at the rental apartment in person, or at least ask for a video presentation of the apartment. You can secure a Lumo home by paying a reservation fee of €350 and then visit to learn more. We have a satisfaction guarantee, and if the apartment does not suit you after all, we will look for a better one or give you your money back," Koiranen says.
Company or private landlord – which is better?
According to Koiranen, a stable company as a landlord creates security for the resident.
"Companies are reliable landlords because they have precise rental processes and comply with legal requirements. This ensures safety and security for the resident. The resident does not have to worry about the apartment being sold or the lease agreement being terminated unexpectedly. Companies also have expert staff who can answer questions from residents and offer help if necessary. If the resident’s credit information is in order, we will not ask for a security deposit at Lumo."
Shared apartments are popular with students
Sharing an apartment is expected to become more common among students, as the housing budget of many young people will shrink further due to the student housing subsidy reform that will enter into force in August. Koiranen also considers apartment sharing to be a respectable form of housing.
"I recommend looking for an apartment for 2–3 friends, with a separate bedroom for everyone and a living room and kitchen as shared facilities. When the costs of housing can be shared between several people, it is possible to have a higher-quality apartment with a sauna or balcony, for example. Sharing an apartment offers the opportunity to share your everyday life with friends, which increases the sense of community and also supports you in your studies."
However, when planning to share an apartment, you should take into account Kela’s terms and conditions for paying housing allowance.
"Lumo can have a lease agreement with a maximum of two people. Alternatively, you can consider having one primary resident, who then makes sublease agreements with their friends," Koiranen says.
For more information:
Laura Koiranen, Sales Director, Lumo Homes, tel. +358 20 508 3411, laura.koiranen@lumo.fi
Kojamo is Finland’s largest private residential real estate company and one of the biggest investors in Finland. Our mission is to create better urban living. Lumo offers environmentally friendly housing and services for the city dweller who appreciates quality and effortlessness. We actively develop the value of our investment properties by developing new properties and our existing property portfolio. We want to be the property market frontrunner and the number one choice for our customers. Kojamo’s shares are listed on the official list of Nasdaq Helsinki. For more information, please visit: https://kojamo.fi/en