Checklist for moving into you first own home

Notification of move to the post office or the Digital and Population Data Services Agency

One of the most important things to remember is to submit a notification of move to the post office or the Digital and Population Data Services Agency within one week of moving in, at the latest. The notification may be submitted one month prior to moving, at the earliest. Submitting the notification of move is easiest on the Posti or Digital and Population Data Services Agency website.

Once you have submitted your notification of move, the new address information is automatically updated to the authorities, Kela, the Tax Administration, any parishes, the Finnish Defence Forces and the Driver Data and the Driving Licence Register. Many banks, insurance companies and associations may also be given your address information. You can find all of the organisations that will receive your information from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency on the Digital and Population Data Services Agency website.

You should also compose a list of places that you must inform of your new address yourself, so that your invoices will not be sent to the wrong address by mistake, for example.

You must also inform the building management of your previous home of the move. When a young person moves to their own home from a Heka home, they must report the move to the register of occupants. The easiest way to do this is by completing the Submit a notice of moving out form.

Take out insurance and sign contracts before moving in

You should take out home insurance for your own home in case of water damage, damage to property or other accidents. It pays to shop around for home insurance.

You must find out whether you need to take out an electricity contract for your new home. In student housing, for example, the rent may include electricity. Electricity is not included in the rent in most rental housing and you must take out your own electricity contract. This should be done well in advance of the moving day. You should also shop around for electricity companies before signing a contract.

Many homes now come with an internet connection included in the rent. If not, you need to also take out an internet connection contract. Even if the rent includes an internet connection, you will need to take out a contract with the network operator if you want to increase the speed of your connection. Many blocks of flats come with a housing company broadband subscription, which will allow you to have a speedy connection affordably.

Enlist the help of your friends

You should start asking people to help with the move well in advance. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and relatives for help. If you end up using a moving company, you should note that the end of the month and weekends tend to be busy. If you are struggling with finding help or a moving company for the moving day, you should find out whether you could move another day, when you will be able to have help.

Once you have the keys to your new home, you should give a spare key to a friend or family member who lives nearby. You will be happier making a short trip to collect the key than paying for the door opening service.  

Enjoy your new home!