The ABC of renting

According to the law, visits to the apartment must always be agreed upon with the tenant. An example of an acceptable method is a visit notification that requests the tenant to contact the lessor if the proposed visit time is unsuitable. Such notices must always include the visitor’s contact information, the reason for the visit, and its estimated duration. It must also be noted that a renovation notification may not serve as notification of entry to the apartment.

The time of the visit must be indicated as precisely and accurately as possible in the visit notification, in order to cause the tenant as little inconvenience as possible in terms of, for example, arranging work or pet care. The tenant must leave the security lock open at the time of the visit so that the lessor can enter the apartment with the master key. The tenant must ensure that the visitor has safe entrance to the apartment at the agreed time. According to fair rental practices, the lessor shall instruct the property management personnel and also remind external service providers that they are visiting the tenant’s home and that schedules must be observed in this respect. Also, notification of the visit must be left in the apartment. According to the law, the lessor is entitled to enter a rented apartment to check the condition of the premises at a time agreed on with the tenant. If the apartment is being rented again or sold, a showing to a tenant candidate must also be arranged for a time that is suitable for both parties. The tenant may not prevent or hinder entrance to the apartment without cause.

Living involves tolerance of a certain level of noise, and it must be possible to live a normal life in the apartment. For example, the sound of children playing is considered normal at the times allowed in the building’s regulations. Making loud noises should be avoided at night. However, activities that are normally permitted and acceptable can become a disturbing way of life if the activities cause unreasonable inconvenience to neighbours. For example, several hours of piano playing each day, continuous barking of dogs, or listening to loud music can constitute a disturbing way of life.

According to the law, the lessor may give notice or even rescind the lease agreement after issuing a warning if the tenant continues a disturbing way of life in the apartment. This refers to repetitive and continued noise or other sensory disturbances that hinder living regularly coming from the apartment. By law, the fact that the tenant is violating regulations that must be obeyed in order to maintain health and order can also entitle the lessor to rescind the lease agreement. Such cases include instructions from the health and rescue authorities and rules of the property and housing company. However, these rules may not unnecessarily restrict normal living.