Finding a place to live in Oulu
Tap your situation — student, private renter, or checking a listing — for the steps, papers and contacts, plus the rules that keep you clear of rental scams.
Finding somewhere to live is the hardest part of arriving in Oulu, and it's where newcomers get caught out — by joining the student-housing queue too late, or by a rental scam. Tap the situation closest to yours for the steps, the papers to gather and who to contact. Everything here is in English.
What's your situation? Tap the one closest to yours.
Good to know
Never pay before you sign
Don't transfer any money, deposit or 'reservation fee' until you have a signed rental agreement. No real landlord needs a payment to hold a flat you haven't seen or signed for.
Keep your passport
Never give your passport or ID to a landlord or agent. If they need to check it, give a photocopy only.
The deposit
Expect a security deposit (vuokravakuus), usually one to a few months' rent, paid when you sign. Get a receipt, and remember it's returnable when you leave the flat in good order.
A couple of Finnish basics make renting work
You'll want a Finnish bank account for the deposit, and once you've moved in, register your municipality of residence (kotikunta) with the DVV. Both make deposits, benefits and utilities straightforward.
Official links
- PSOAS — how to apply — Student housing, step by step.
- InfoFinland — housing in Oulu — Official English guidance for the region.
- DVV — moving to Finland — Registration and the personal identity code.