Looking for a Varke apartment or a right-of-occupancy home? Find flexible and affordable housing solutions in Tampere and Turku.

Finding the right home in sought-after growth cities like Tampere and Turku often requires carefully balancing financial flexibility with stability of tenure. Many people find themselves weighing whether to commit to a large, long-term mortgage at this stage of their life, or whether a more affordable and hassle-free rental apartment is the better choice. Fortunately, the housing market offers excellent options that sit between conventional renting and ownership — or that are based on state-subsidised, affordable rental housing. Varke apartments and right-of-occupancy homes offer residents long-term stability and financial security without significant personal risk.

In growing cities, a diverse and resident-focused housing offering serves people best. When life circumstances change — as a family grows, studies progress or a new job comes along — flexible contract terms become extremely valuable. As a responsible housing provider, YH Kodit operates with straightforward and fair agreements, where the rental deposit is typically equivalent to just one month's rent. Our open-ended tenancy agreements are subject to a one calendar month notice period, making it easier to plan a move and build a new everyday life without the worry of long and inflexible fixed-term commitments.

What are Varke apartments and how does resident selection work?

Varke apartments are state-subsidised rental homes that offer affordable, high-quality housing. The term Varke refers to the Centre for State-Supported Housing Construction (formerly ARA), which began operations on 1 March 2025 and took over the statutory responsibilities of the previous Housing Finance and Development Centre. The core principle of Varke-funded housing is clear and socially significant: the aim is to ensure that everyone has access to a safe and well-maintained home regardless of their financial situation. A significant portion of YH Kodit's housing stock consists of these regulated Varke apartments, where rent levels are always kept reasonable.

In state-subsidised housing, resident selection is governed by precise statutory criteria known as needs assessment. The process always takes into account the applicant's genuine housing need, income level and current assets. This system ensures that affordable homes are allocated fairly and on social grounds to those who need them most. Applicants are not placed in a queue by application date; instead, when a home becomes available, the household with the greatest need is always selected from among the applicants.

Thanks to these regulated limits, high-quality and affordable apartments remain within reach of those for whom market-rate housing would represent too great a financial burden. An applicant's life situation and the reasons for their housing need are always assessed as a whole, to ensure social sustainability and equal treatment. Signing a contract has been made straightforward, and a deposit equivalent to one month's rent lowers the threshold for moving into a new home and makes everyday planning easier.

Right-of-occupancy homes offer stress-free living without the risks of ownership

 A right-of-occupancy apartment is a highly practical and popular option for those who want the permanence, security and freedom to decorate that comes with ownership — without taking on a large personal mortgage. Under the right-of-occupancy system, residents pay an initial one-off occupancy fee, which is typically 15 per cent of the apartment's original purchase price. In addition, a monthly maintenance charge is paid, calculated on a cost-price basis and often below the market rent level of comparable privately financed apartments in the area.

It is a responsible, community-minded and affordable housing model. When a resident vacates a right-of-occupancy apartment, the original occupancy fee is returned, adjusted in line with the building cost index. The invested capital therefore retains its value excellently, and the resident bears no risk from general fluctuations in the housing market or from reselling the apartment.

Whether you are planning a move to the Tampere or Turku region, the application process is straightforward. Following a legislative amendment that came into force in September 2023, the national queue number required to obtain a right-of-occupancy apartment is applied for directly through Varke's online service, and remains valid for two years at a time. It is also worth noting that the maximum asset limits do not apply at all to applicants aged 55 and over for right-of-occupancy apartments, nor are they applied when transferring between right-of-occupancy homes. You can find out more about the various stages of the application process in our guide, which explains in detail how applying for a right-of-occupancy apartment works in practice.

The availability of right-of-occupancy apartments is continuously growing in both major urban areas, offering modern and energy-efficient homes close to excellent transport links and a wide range of services. You can start your search easily by browsing available right-of-occupancy apartments in the Pirkanmaa region and in Southwest Finland.

The stability and security of this housing model is comparable to traditional homeownership, as the agreement cannot be terminated by the landlord without an exceptionally compelling reason specifically defined in law. A right-of-occupancy home is a safe, stress-free and flexible solution for all stages of life — whether you live alone, as a couple or as a family with children.

Flexible rental apartments in Tampere and Turku make everyday life easier

Renting is often the most practical choice, thanks to the exceptional flexibility it offers. When life changes unexpectedly — due to work, studies or personal circumstances — moving to a new apartment needs to be easy and hassle-free. YH Kodit's rental homes in the Tampere and Turku areas meet this need with resident-friendly contract terms. Our agreements require no commitment for a full year, allowing flexible decisions to be made even at short notice.

Moving into a new home has also been made financially straightforward. The rental deposit is equivalent to just one month's rent, significantly reducing the upfront costs of setting up a new home. Our agreements are subject to a clear one calendar month notice period, allowing residents to plan their move freely without the worry of lengthy and inflexible overlapping rent payments.

Beyond the contract terms, for many home seekers it is absolutely essential that their pets can come along to the new home. Pets are warmly welcomed as cherished family members in all our properties, making the move a smooth experience for the whole household.

New owner-occupied homes in growth cities — quality and lasting value

For those whose goal is to buy their own home, a new-build offers completely stress-free and low-maintenance living for years to come — with no renovation worries or unexpected building maintenance costs. Our new owner-occupied developments in the most desirable areas of Tampere and Turku are built to meet today's housing expectations, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, practical floor plans, natural light and high-quality materials.

YH Kodit acts as the responsible developer on these projects, overseeing careful planning and execution in collaboration with reliable and skilled contractors. Rigorous workmanship and close supervision ensure that completed properties meet the highest quality standards, delivering residents a durable home that holds its value and provides an excellent quality of life for years to come.

Examples of our modern urban homes include outstanding owner-occupied development in Tampere, such as the welcoming Asunto Oy Tampereen Hatanpään Kruununvouti, located right in the heart of the city centre with excellent transport connections. This property combine a prime location, functional architecture and high-quality construction.

Online resident services — support for everyday life

A high quality of living is built not only on square metres, but on a smooth daily routine. Our digital services and knowledgeable resident support team ensure that managing anything related to your tenancy is effortless. Residents have access to the convenient Oma YH Kodit online service, which brings all the most important information and functions together in one easy-to-use place.

In addition to our digital channels, our expert customer service team is on hand to help in any situation. Whether you are moving into a new home, collecting or returning keys, reserving a parking space, arranging move-in repairs or dealing with water billing, support is always easy to access by phone or by visiting our offices in Tampere and Turku. Our comprehensive services make living with us easier and keep everyday life running smoothly.

The right housing option always depends on your individual life situation, future plans and financial flexibility. Varke apartments provide reliable, regulated rental housing within income and asset limits, allocated on social grounds to those who need it most. Right-of-occupancy homes offer long-term continuity and security without major financial risk or large bank loans. Flexible rental apartments, in turn, are the best fit for those who value freedom, simplicity and the ability to move on without commitment. The Tampere and Turku regions offer a wide range of options, making finding a new home a safe and straightforward experience.