You can now apply for an apartment exchange after six months of residence
Life circumstances or housing needs can change quickly and your current home may no longer be suitable for you. In this event, you can apply to switch from one Heka apartment to another.
We want to make it easier for you to move home, so we are reducing the minimum period of residence for apartment swaps to six months. This means that you can apply for an apartment swap when you have lived in your current Heka apartment as the main tenant for at least six months and the other conditions for an apartment swap are met. Previously, the condition for an apartment swap was 12 months’ residence.
You can apply to the City of Helsinki for an apartment swap if these conditions are met:
- You have lived in your current Heka home as the main tenant for at least six months.
- Your lease agreement is valid until further notice.
- You have not received any notices or written warnings for your behaviour during the past year. These include notices and warnings for violating rules of conduct or disturbances.
- You have no unpaid rent.
- You do not owe Heka any other unpaid charges or fees, such as sauna or door opening fees.
- There are no complaints about the condition of your apartment.
How to apply for an apartment swap
You can apply to the City of Helsinki for a switch from one Heka home to another. Your application is valid for three months at a time, and you can renew your application if your need to change apartments continues.
You can search for an apartment swap partner independently through the Apartment Exchange Market (in Finnish). If you find a partner for a mutual swap, apply to the City of Helsinki for approval for the switch.
You can also apply for an apartment swap to a vacant Heka home from the City of Helsinki and look for a switching partner through the Apartment Exchange Market at the same time.