Right-of-occupancy housing

Right-of-occupancy housing is a mix between rental and owner-occupied housing. Residents of right-of-occupancy housing pay a right-of-occupancy fee and a monthly management fee to the owner of the building. The apartment cannot be redeemed, but the resident has a permanent right to live in it.

The provisions on right-of-occupancy housing are laid down in a separate Act. With a few exceptions, right-of-occupancy dwellings are financed with state support in the form of state-subsidised housing loans or interest subsidy loans. In the future, provisions on residents’ opportunities to participate in the administration of right-of-occupancy associations will be laid down in the new Right-of-Occupancy Housing Act.

The new Act entered into force on 1 January 2022

The Right-of-Occupancy Housing Act underwent a reform in spring 2021, and the new Act entered into force on 1 January 2022. The reform ensures that right-of-occupancy housing remains as affordable and appealing a housing arrangement in the future as it is now.

The reform of the right-of-occupancy housing system was not radical; its basic principles were preserved in their original form. The reform does not alter the permanence of right-of-occupancy contracts.

In line with the Government Programme, the reform takes into account:

  • the affordability of housing
  • the transparency of the system
  • residents’ opportunities to influence
  • the development of resident selection.

Schedule

1 January 2022
The new Right-of-Occupancy Housing Act enters into force.

1 September 2022
The new provisions on resident management start to apply.

1 September 2023
The new provisions on resident selection start to apply and the new resident selection system is adopted.

31 December 2023
The period of validity of the old, permanent running numbers comes to an end.

Where to find more information

More information on the resident selection system is available on the website of The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA).

Inquiries regarding the resident selection system can be sent by email to:

[email protected]

Municipalities and right-of-occupancy associations will provide more information about the right-of-occupancy application process.

More information

Anu Karjalainen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Legislative Affairs 
Ministry of the Environment, Department of the Built Environment, Housing and Cultural Environments Telephone:0295250067   Email Address: