A-Z of living with TOAS
The guide to good living aims to give quick answers to the kind of issues that a tenant may be faced with, the described situations having been compiled from common examples throughout the years.
The guide to good living (PDF, 342 kb)
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Airing of bed linen and rugs. Each yard comes equipped with an airing stand for carpets etc, and some locations also have an airing balcony for this purpose. It is not allowed to use the apartment's balcony for this purpose.
Annulment of tenancy agreement. In the case of a serious breach of any of the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement, TOAS can terminate the tenancy agreement with immediate effect, without the usual notice period. Such cases include overdue rent, noisy and disruptive living habits, negligent and unhealthy housekeeping, and subletting the property without permission. In such cases the agreement will terminate immediately on the date of the notification. If necessary, TOAS will pursue legal action in order to remove a tenant from the premises.
Bathroom. Clean the floor drain regularly to avoid clogging. Report any faults and unusual odours to the Housing Office. Remember to regularly open and clean the hand basin drain trap. Keep the walls (tiles and/or shower cabin) around the shower clean from grease and a build up of lime.
Car parking. If you need a reserved parking space for your car, contact the Housing Office. Electrical hook-ups with shared or socket-specific timers can be used to warm the engine for two hours at a time. Please do not park your car on pathways or in the yard. Please note that guest parking spaces are meant for guests' use only.
Changing rooms in shared apartments. The tenants are not allowed to change rooms within the apartment without prior consent from TOAS. Any changes should be organised at the Housing Office in advance. For shared apartments, the tenant will be charged 35 euros if s/he returns a key for a different apartment s/he was originally assigned.
Changing tenants. The moving date is the next weekday following the termination of your tenancy agreement with TOAS, normally the first day of the month. The previous tenant usually leaves on the actual last day of his/her tenancy, which leaves the apartment fully at the new tenant's use on the following day. Please make sure to clean the apartment thoroughly before you leave.
Common rooms are for everyone's use. Tenant committees can supply the common rooms with furniture, newspapers, magazines, TVs, etc.
Computer and peripherals. Keep in mind that the power consumption of your computer and peripherals must not exceed 10 amps or the fuse will go. Be mindful of energy consumption and do not keep the equipment switched on 24 hours a day.
Deposit. A deposit is paid before signing the tenancy agreement. The deposit is a guarantee that the tenant will treat the apartment s/he is residing in well. When the tenancy comes to an end, TOAS may, as a result of costs incurred from necessary repairs or cleaning, withhold some or all of this deposit from the tenant. If everything in the apartment is in order, the deposit will be returned to the tenant's account within one month. Please note this when making payments!
Dishwasher. If your flat doesn’t have a place for a dishwasher and you would to install one, you should contact the property department to check if installation is possible. The tenant will pay for the installation him/herself, and the fixed parts will remain in the flat when the tenant leaves. Only a professional can do the installation. The dishwasher should never be left to run unattended. In case the previous tenant has left a dishwasher in the apartment and you will use it, the possible water danage will be considered as your responsibility.
Don'ts. Do not carry out any structural changes or painting jobs without the permission of TOAS. Do not drill holes in the walls. Do not adjust ventilation valves. Do not adjust radiator thermostats. Do not carry out any electrical installations yourself. Do not attempt to repair any sockets (PC, antenna, etc.).
Final inspections. When tenant is moving out of the apartment, TOAS will conduct a final inspection of the apartment. The inspection consists of stating the condition the apartment is in with regards to fixtures and cleanliness. Should any repairs or cleaning be required, the cost for these will be covered by the tenant's deposit. If the cost exceeds the deposit, the tenant will be billed for the expense.
Fire alarm is compulsory in all apartments. All TOAS apartments are equipped with fire alarms. The tenant must make sure that the fire alarm is fully functional and that the battery is changed when necessary.
Fridge-freezer. Clean and defrost the fridge-freezer regularly. A build up of ice reduces power and increases the consumption of electricity. Do not use force to remove the ice. The outlet for melting water must be kept clean - for instance with a cotton swab. Do not operate a faulty machine - contact maintenance!
Fuses. Please change fuses yourself. Before changin ghte fuse, check what might have caused the problem. If a fuse continues to go, contact maintenance.
General tips. Please defrost the fridge-freezer regularly. Avoid running water unnecessarily. Air the room when required, and turn off lights if they are not needed. Use appliances carefully and always remember to follow the instructions. Make sure to keep all appliances and equipment in one piece, and report any faults immediately.
Giving notice. The tenant must always give notice in writing. Forms for this purpose are available at the Housing Office or you can print it out here. The notice period is one calendar month, and it is calculated from the last day of the month that the notice was given in.
Print out the form of giving notice
Insurance. TOAS property insurance does not cover any damage to a tenant's personal property within the apartment or storage facilities, whether locked or not. TOAS recommends that all tenants take out voluntary home insurance ('vapaaehtoinen kotivakuutus') to cover possible damage to either their own property or that of TOAS.
Internet. All TOAS locations are equipped with ready-to-use internet connection TOASnet. Follow all web rules and regulations. Commercial activity is prohibited. Remember that there are other users, too, and avoid unnecessarily blocking the bandwidth, especially during office hours. The network rep for your location will help you if you have any questions.
Key. You will receive the key to the apartment on the first day of your tenancy or on the first working day after the beginning of the tenancy agreement. The key will give you access to the apartment and public or shared areas. Please take good care of the key: it is your responsibility. Do not make copies of the key by yourself.
When you move out of the apartment, return the key to the Housing Office - do not leave it in the apartment. If the Housing Office is closed, keys can be posted through the office post-box in a sealed envelope. Please make sure you mark the envelope clearly with your name, the location and the apartment the key is for, the date and your signature.
The key must be returned by noon (12.00 o'clock) on the first working day (Mon-Fri) following the termination of tenancy. If you return the key later than that, an overdue charge of €100 will be collected for every commencing week. If you lose the key, report this to the Housing Office without delay. The cost of a missing or additional key is €50. For shared apartments, the tenant will be charged €35 if s/he returns a key for a room other than the one s/he was originally assigned. Please note this when making payments! Only one key for one tenant. If you like to get a spare-key, that is possible for €50.
Lost or forgotten key. What to do if you have forgotten your key? During office opening hours it is possible to pick up spare-key from the TOAS-office, without charge, only week-days. On Friday you should be able to return the sparekey before 3:30pm. Outside office hours you should contact the maintenance company and ask their duty office to open the door. The maintenance company chargers for this service.
What to do if you have lost your key? You may purchase a new key from the Housing Office for €50 to replace the lost one. The maintenance officer as well in TOAS will always see your id-card in case of key problems. If the key has been lost and TOAS has to change the apartment lock for safety reasons, the charge is €100.
Lighting. All light bulbs and fluorescent lamps in the accommodation are to be changed by the tenant. This includes the light bulbs in the oven and the fridge. It is the tenant's responsibility to change all bulbs including those for the fridge and the oven, as well as fluorescent strip lights and corresponding fuses.
Live and let live. Living in student housing is all about teamwork. Do make yourself at home, but also take the other inhabitants into account. Follow all rules and regulations.
Mail. Depending on your location, your mail will be delivered either to your door or to a mailbox in your yard. Mailbox opens with the apartment key. Remember to notify the post office about your change of address whenever you move.
Moving out during the one-month notice period. If you have agreed with the next tenant that you will personally hand over the apartment keys to him/her, it is imperative that you notify the Housing Office. Please print the Key Transfer Agreement here.
Nameplate. Your name will automatically be added to the list of names in the stairway of your location. If you wish, you can also put a name tag in the space reserved for it on the front door of the apartment.
Notice boards feature communications from TOAS, the tenant committees and the tenants. Keep an eye on them!
Paying rent. The tenancy agreement stipulates the date when rent is due to be paid. Please make sure to always note the reference number when paying your bill. Check that the paid sum is correct. Save your receipt. If payment is delayed, the tenant will be liable to pay interest and a notification fee. Tenants living in family apartments are equally responsible for the rent, also when one party moves out but have not officially given notice. Should you have difficulties in paying the rent, please contact the rental deprtment at vuokrat.etu
taka.toas.fi.
Peephole. It is possible to install a peephole to your apartment front door. When moving out the peephole must be left on the door.
Pets. The keeping of pets in shared apartments and studios with shared kitchens on the floor is strictly forbidden. Pets are allowed in studios and family apartments.
Property maintenance company. Property maintenance companies handle general tasks, such as the maintenance of electricity, HVAC system and outdoor areas; cleaning; heating of the saunas; changing light bulbs and tubes in the shared areas; and a door opening service in case you have lost your key or left it inside (liable to charge). Property maintenance companies provide a 24-hour service. The name and contact details of the property maintenance company are available in the stairway and on the front door of your housing location.
The TOAS House Managers handle any repairs and maintenance issues of TOAS apartments that may arise. When needed, please contact the super on the number stated on your notice board.
Quarrels. If you have problems with any of the other tenants, please try to speak to them directly at first. You may also want to get in touch with the members of the tenant committee. If the problems continue, submit a written report of the situation at the Housing Office.
Radiators. A thermostat ensures an even temperature in the rooms. Therefore, the radiator may sometimes be hot and sometimes cold. Do not cover the radiator. For example, curtains may raise the temperature of the area surrounding the thermostat by a couple of degrees, thus lowering the general temperature of the room. The general room temeprature is 20-21 degrees.
Recycling waste. Not only is recycling very important for the protection of nature, it is also a citizen's obligation as stipulated in Finnish legislation. Most kitchens have separate bins for different types of waste, and the waste collection units provide separate units for bio-waste, paper waste and normal household waste. Glass, cardboard and other problem waste is collected in a shared collection unit. The location of this unit is specified on the notice board in your stairway.
Renovating. All renovations must be conducted by TOAS. It is not allowed to complete any renovation on TOAS property without permission from TOAS.
Rent. The rent is due once a month, and it covers heating, water and other maintenance costs. Please note this when making payments!
Reporting a fault. It is the tenant's duty to report a fault. Please report your name and your contact details, together with a detailed report and description of the fault. Please note on the report whether or not the House Manager can enter the apartment with the master key. If not, the tenant must arrange for a set time for the repair with the House Managers. Be sure to always submit a report if doors or windows do not close properly, the ventilation does not function, the windows get frosty, a machine or a piece of equipment is broken, water is leaking anywhere, there is an odd smell in the apartment or when there is unusual humidity etc. The report can be put in the box for this purpose in your own stairway, be sent by fax to number 03 222 5409 or reported online at www.toas.fi. For urgent matters, please contact your location's property maintenance company.
Review of right of tenancy. You are entitled to tenancy for the duration of your studies. TOAS reviews these rights on regular basis. The right of occupancy will continue for one (1) year after the termination of your studies.
Rules and regulations. Following rules and regulations will make everybody's life a lot more comfortable, saves the tenant extra costs and ensures that TOAS will be able to offer reasonable rents also in the future.
Safety chain. It is possible to install a safety chain to your front door. When moving away that must be left on the door.
Sauna. Depending on the location, you can book your own sauna shift, have a regular shift, or use the general shifts separately for men and women. Tenant committees draw up the sauna shift lists for their respective locations. Tenants must keep the sauna tidy: rinse the buckets, the dipper, other accessories, the floor, etc, after use. Avoid excessive use of water in the sauna room in order to prolong the lifetime of the sauna benches and wood paneling.
Shared housing. Everybody in a shared apartment should look after the cleanliness and comfort of the communal area. It is strictly forbidden to smoke or keep pets in a shared apartment. Tenants are not allowed to change rooms without TOAS' permission. Should you wish to swap rooms with your flat mate, please contact TOAS Housing Office. For shared apartments, the tenant will be charged €35 if s/he returns a key for a room other than the one s/he was originally assigned.
Shared storage facilities. Each location features separate storage facilities for sports gear, babies' prams and bikes, as well as storage coups for each apartment either in the basement or the attic. Do not store flammable items, such as batteries, mopeds or fuel, in these facilities. Storing personal property in the public areas of the location is prohibited. Please note that the storing of personal property is at your own risk, TOAS does not accept any responsibility for this property.
Smoking is forbidden at all TOAS locations, inside the flats as well as in all common areas (staircases, lifts, basements, common rooms, saunas and washrooms).
Stairway is not your personal storage space. Clean and empty stairway is important for fire safety. Like the cleaner, also you can help to create a nicer look and feel at your location.
Stove. Keep the stove clean, to avoid build up of grease and dirt. Use only detergents designed for use on stoves. Do not scratch. If the stove is not working, do no attempt to repair it yourself: it must be repaired by a professional.
Temporarily shifting ones tenancy to another party. According to the law on tenancy (AHVL § 18) a tenant at TOAS may shift the right of tenancy to another party for a maximum of two years in case of compulsory absence. Reasons for allowing the temporary shift of the right of tenancy are: working/studying abroad, internship related to studies in another city/abroad, military/civil service, illness, or some other reason of the like.
A tenant living in a shared apartment can only rent the room to another student of the same sex. The tenant and the temporary tenant must get this shift approved in writing at the Housing Office a minimum of one month in advance. The necessary forms for the application of such a shift, and for the creation of a tenancy agreement, are available at the Housing Office.
Tenancy agreement. When signing the agreement, you agree to follow all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to renting of residential housing.
Tenant activity allocation. Communities living in the locations participate in tenant activities through allocating funds from the budget. The tenant committees can independently decide how these funds are spent. Please note this when making payments!
Tenant committees and tenant meetings. The tenants' possibility to influence their living environment is confirmed in the Finnish legislation. In practice, this right is implemented through location-specific tenant committees that are elected in tenant meetings.
The next tenant. When you have given notice on your apartment, it is offered to a new applicant. Usually, he/she would like to see his/her future home in advance. Remember a positive attitude when the doorbell rings!
Transferring tenancy rights and granting a new similar property. A tenant at TOAS may apply for the transfer of tenancy rights in case they are spending a minimum of six consecutive months away from Tampere, it forming a compulsory element of their studies.
Reasons for granting this transfer are studies abroad, study related work experience in another area, army or civil service duty, sickness or other sufficient reason for long term absence from the area. TOAS is obliged to find a similar property to replace the initial one only in case the tenant encloses a transfer request with the application well in advance, and in case a suitable property is becoming available at the time.
The application form for the transfer of tenancy (complete with advice) is available at the accommodation office.
Utility fee is charged to cover the furniture (where furnitured) electricity.
Vandalism should not be tolerated. It is in the best interests, as well as the duty, of the tenants to report vandalism. Naturally, the perpetrator is him/herself responsible for his/her actions. Any expenses caused by unresolved cases will eventually be transferred to the rents and paid by the tenants themselves. The maintenance of law and order is ultimately the responsibility of the proper authorities. Everyone can seek help from the police.
Ventilation. Locations feature automatic ventilation systems. Extractors and exhaust valves are adjusted to ensure balanced ventilation. A balanced system provides clean and healthy air for everybody. Obstructing the valves or altering the settings disrupts the balance of the ventilation.
Walls. It is not allowed to drill holes in the walls. Moderate use of wall hooks is allowed.
Washing and drying laundry. The use of laundy facilities does not require any payments, as it is included in the rent. Please use the appliances economically by washing as much as possible at any one time. Do follow the instructions, and remember to clean up after yourself.
Washing machine. If your property does not have a washing machine, and you would like one installed, you should contact the housing manager to check if installation if possible. The washing machine must only be connected to the plug socket intended for this purpose. Do not run the machine whilst using the shower. You should never dry your washing on radiators or on top of windows or doors to avoid damage from water. The dishwasher should never be left to run unattended.
Window blinds. It is possible to install window blind/s to your window. TOAS does not participate in covering the costs of the installation. When moving away that/they must be left on their site.
Yard is an important aspect of comfortable student housing. Tenants can help maintain the yard by keeping it tidy, minding the plants, flowers and green areas and so on. Pet owners are requested to be mindful of other inhabitants: dogmess is unsightly and not a part of a cozy environment.