Looking for a student apartment in Tampere or Turku? A larger three- or four-room apartment is a great option for shared living

Starting your studies in Tampere or Turku comes with plenty of practical arrangements to sort out. Finding a suitable apartment before the semester begins is one of the most pressing tasks. The appeal of these growing cities is felt in the autumn rental market for small apartments, where demand quickly outstrips supply. Most new students look for studio apartments first, which leads to fierce competition and drives rents up.

Renting a larger apartment — such as a three- or four-room flat — together with classmates or friends is an effective solution to this. Shared living makes it easier to find a home during the peak season and significantly reduces housing costs. When more people share the same space, each resident gets a more spacious apartment at a lower personal monthly rent.

High demand for studios vs. the benefits of shared living in growing cities

Tampere and Turku attract a large number of students, making the small-apartment market highly competitive in late summer. The high volume of applicants for studios can delay finding a suitable home. Demand for larger apartments is more stable, and they become available more easily even mid-academic year.

Shared living offers real advantages over living alone. In a larger apartment, everyone has their own private bedroom, plus access to shared spaces such as the kitchen and living room. Day-to-day life is more comfortable with plenty of room rather than being confined to a single small space. Shared running costs — such as electricity, water, and internet — ease the monthly budget, and the money saved gives you more financial breathing room for life outside of studying.

Varke apartments and student finances – income and asset limits in tenant selection

State-subsidised rental apartments, known as Varke apartments, are a popular and reliable option for students. These homes offer quality housing at reasonable prices, which suits students living on a tight budget. As a subsidised form of housing, tenant selection follows set criteria designed to direct apartments to those who need them most.

Tenant selection takes into account applicants' housing need, income, and assets, with priority given to those in the most urgent situations and with the lowest incomes. A student's income typically consists of a study grant, housing allowance, and earnings from part-time work — all of which generally fall well within the set limits.

When applying for a Varke apartment, it's also worth familiarising yourself with the tenancy terms, which bring stability to student life and finances:

• Security deposit: The deposit required when signing the contract is modest — just one month's rent. This low upfront cost significantly eases the financial burden of moving in.
• Notice period: Contracts follow the statutory standard. The tenant's notice period is one full calendar month. This flexibility gives you freedom when your studies end or your circumstances change.

Practical arrangements for shared living and tenancy terms

When sharing a home, it's worth considering how the tenancy agreement is structured. When renting a larger three- or four-room apartment as a shared flat, the lease can be drawn up jointly in all residents' names or separately for each individual. A joint agreement means all signatories are collectively responsible for the apartment's upkeep and rent payments. Separate agreements limit each person's responsibility to their own bedroom and use of shared spaces.

Moving in is made easier by the fact that the security deposit is just one month's rent — a manageable upfront cost compared to many private landlords, where deposit requirements can be considerably higher. Pets are also welcome in all our homes, so shared life runs smoothly with furry family members too, at no extra charge.

Hassle-free everyday life with the Oma YH Kodit portal and customer service

Smooth day-to-day living matters alongside your studies, so housing services should be as straightforward as possible. The Oma YH Kodit online portal makes it easy to manage everything related to your home. Residents can view their contracts, track rent payments, and submit maintenance requests directly online. All housing-related information is stored securely in one place — no paper documents needed.

Our expert customer service team is on hand to help with any questions related to moving in or everyday life. Support is available for practical matters such as key collection, parking space reservations, and apartment inspections. Water billing and condition reports are also handled centrally through our customer service channels, saving you time and keeping your student life worry-free.

How to apply for a student apartment in the Tampere and Turku area

It's worth starting your search for the right home well before the autumn rush. The application process is designed to be straightforward, so finding an apartment won't hold up the start of your studies. Each applicant's individual situation is always taken into account.

Student life is made easier by the fact that there's no requirement to commit to a minimum 12-month contract. You can stay for exactly as long as your situation requires. The notice period for an open-ended contract is one full calendar month. This flexibility makes it straightforward to relocate — for example, for a job in a new city — without long overlapping rent costs.

In addition to rental apartments, our selection includes right-of-occupancy apartments (ASO) and new owner-occupied homes. Many students start with a rental apartment for its convenience. YH Kodit's diverse range of rental apartments provides an excellent starting point for independent living, and a right-of-occupancy apartment can later be a secure and affordable alternative to taking out a large mortgage.

Renting a larger apartment together with friends is a financially and socially smart choice for student housing in Tampere and Turku. In a shared flat, the cost per square metre stays reasonable, the shared spaces are generous, and splitting the costs brings real savings. Flexible tenancy agreements, a low deposit, and solid resident services mean you can focus on your studies without worrying about the day-to-day practicalities of housing.