If you have any questions, please check the frequently asked questions below before contacting the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who can apply for a flat?<\/strong> Do both spouses in a family applying for a flat need to be students? When can I apply for a flat? How long is the application valid? What do I do if my application expires? Can I apply for the same flat with a friend? Can I apply for multiple flats at the same time? How do I apply for summer housing? How likely is it to get a studio or shared flat? How long can I live in the flat? Can I keep the flat over the summer? My lease starts \u2013 where do I get the key? I forgot my flat key \u2013 what should I do? Where do I return the key when I leave? Do I need to submit a notification of move? What documents do I need for my student financial aid application? When can I move in \/ when can I access the flat? What does the rent include? When will I get my deposit back? What should I do if my rent is late? What are usage fees? Where can I see my rent and payment details? Can I grill on the balcony? Can I smoke on the balcony? Can I install a satellite dish? Can I keep pets in the flats? What common areas are included in the rent and how do they work? Do I need to sort waste? Do the flats have freezers? What are the quiet hours? Can I host parties? How do I report a fault? Why hasn’t the fault been fixed immediately? What do I do in an urgent fault situation? Who replaces a burnt-out light bulb? The building’s laundry room washing machine is not working. What should I do? The internet is not working \u2013 what should I do? What do I do if damage occurs in the flat? Who is responsible for the costs? How can I change flats?
Anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>No. Applicant does not need to be a student, but students are always given priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Year-round. Submit your application as soon as your housing need is confirmed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The application is valid from the date of submission and up to 1 month after the last desired housing need date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Submit a new application or contact us by email (toimisto@kotopas.fi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes, if there is a vacant or soon-to-be-vacant spot in your friend’s flat. You can apply for a shared flat with a friend by indicating your roommate preference in the application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>You can fill out and submit the application on our website (the most convenient method). If you don’t have internet access, you can order the application form by email or phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Studios are rarely available after just a month of waiting. The surest way to get accommodation is to apply for a shared flat. Read more on the Applicants page<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>At least one year after completing your studies, possibly longer. However, this must be agreed upon separately. Student housing is not intended as a permanent form of accommodation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Moving in, keys, and change of address<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>You can pick up the key from the office on the first weekday of the lease between 9 AM and 3 PM. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Contact the maintenance person or SOL emergency center (contact details are on the notice board). See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Return the key in a key envelope (available from the office) to the office, or if the office is closed, drop it in the office postbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>If you live here for more than three months, you must submit a notification of move with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (required by law). You can submit the notification in a way that does not transfer your official residence to Kotka. Contact the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for more information and instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>A copy of the lease agreement and the first rent payment receipt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>On the first weekday of the lease, during office hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Rent, payments, and deposit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>When comparing rents, note that the rent includes electricity, water, shared sauna, laundry room, and gym access. All flats also have free internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The deposit is refunded as soon as possible after moving out, but no later than the end of the following month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Contact the office secretary. Payment reminders are sent by B2 Impact. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Usage fees are charged for things like parking spaces or sauna use. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Rent invoices are printed twice a year for the periods January 1\u2013June 30 and July 1\u2013December 31. Rent invoices are delivered as paper copies to your postbox. <\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Living and common areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>It is possible, but you should still consider any inconvenience to neighbours. Throwing cigarette butts from the balcony to the yard is strictly prohibited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes in studios and family flats, no in shared flats. Permission must be requested in advance. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The rent includes the laundry room, shared sauna, and use of the building’s common areas. Use of these facilities is free and self-service. See detailed usage instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>. You can find the location of the facilities in the property-specific instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes. All properties have specific containers for mixed waste, biowaste, plastic, cardboard, paper, glass and metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Newer flats have fridge-freezer combinations, and older flats will get them when the fridge-cooler breaks down. The mini kitchens in Koskisopenkatu 3C buildings only have a small fridge with a freezer compartment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>From 10pm to 7am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Yes, but be considerate of neighbours and quiet hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Maintenance, faults, and repairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Submit a fault report form or call maintenance. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Faults that interfere with living are prioritized first, other faults are repaired as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>During working hours, call the maintenance person or the office; outside working hours, call the SOL emergency center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The resident is responsible for purchasing all apartment light bulbs (including oven, cooker hood, and refrigerator bulbs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Check that a) the power is on and b) the washing machine door is firmly “clicked” shut. If the door is not properly closed, the washing machine will not start. If these steps do not help, notify maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Internet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Check that you are using a direct RJ45 cable. If necessary, contact Elisa Servicedesk. See detailed instructions in Tenant Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Damages and liability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Report the incident to maintenance, who will inspect (photograph) the damage and assess the repair needs. Work and materials will be billed to the resident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The resident is responsible for damages caused by negligence, improper use, or actions by the resident or guests. See detailed instructions in tenancy agreement terms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Changing flats and termination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Fill out an application form<\/a> on our website and select “Former tenant \/ Change of flats” as the applicant type. Remember to renew your application (for a maximum of 3 months at a time). Applications are processed in the order they are received by the office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n