Housing counselling

Do you live in Espoo and have issues or questions about housing? Do you need help with finding an apartment, making a rental contract, solving issues with paying rent or neighbourhood conflicts? Edistia’s housing counsellors are here to help!

Edistia will be providing the City of Espoo’s housing counselling services starting from September 2023. The service is free of charge and aimed at everyone who live in Espoo and need the service.

Housing counselling includes information e.g. about different forms of housing, finding an apartment, cost of housing and your rights and duties as a tenant. We can provide you with counselling and guidance for example with:
– finding an apartment
– making a rental contract
– issues with paying rent or maintenance charge
– conflicts with landlord or neighbours
– living in a rental, right-of-occupancy or owner-occupied apartment
– personal finances
– being threatened with homelessness (if you are in urgent need for a shelter, please contact your social worker)

Apartment Finding Workshops in Espoo

In the apartment finding workshop, you will get guidance for apartment seeking in a small group (in Finnish, or in English if needed; interpretation service not available). The workshops are open and free of charge for everyone living in Espoo.

Due to high demand, the workshop days will be split in two separate groups. If a group has already started when you arrive, you will have to wait for the next group to start. Please arrive on time!

The maximum number of participants in a workshop is 4-6 persons in Sello and 6-8 persons in Iso Omena, so please prepare for waiting for your turn! You will need a laptop or a smart phone in the workshop. If you don’t have one, you can borrow a laptop in the library with a library card. Instructions for getting a library card can be read here.

Taking part in the workshop does not guarantee getting an apartment. The housing councellors do not give out apartments, recommendations or statements.

Upcoming workshops:
– Tue 29th October from 9.35 a.m. to 10.55 p.m. and 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Tue 12th November from 9.35 a.m. to 10.55 p.m. and 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 21st November from 12.05 p.m. to 1.25 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 26th November from 9.35 a.m. to 10.55 p.m. and 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)

Walk-in councelling days

In the walk-in days, you can get short councelling (max. 20 min / person) without booking an appointment. The councelling can include for example service councelling or tips for where you could try to look for an apartment. Please note, that there can be other people in the same room, too. You will not get an apartment through the walk-in councelling. The housing councellors do not give out apartments, recommendations or statements. Interpretation available on the phone if needed.

Upcoming walk-in days:
– Thu 31st October from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 5th November from 9.35 a.m. to 11.20 a.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 14th November from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 19th November from 9.35 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 28th November from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari

Housing counselling by email or phone

Housing counselling is also provided via email and on the phone. Messages will be replied within 3 working days. You can email our housing counsellors on asumisneuvonta@espoo.fi

On phone counselling, we use a callback service. You can call us on the number 044 727 3415 from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and leave a message. Our housing counsellors will call you back during office hours, within 3 working days. Interpretation available on the phone if needed. If you are in an urgent need for a shelter, please contact your social worker!

Exceptions
Housing cousellors are not available on 6th and 7th November due to training.