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)

Housing couselling for young adults in Leppävaara

We offer walk-in housing couselling for young adults between 18 and 29 years at Ohjaamotalo Starttipiste in Leppävaara (Lintuvaarantie 2, katutaso, 02650 Espoo). Housing counsellors are available at Starttipiste on even week Mondays from 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.

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.

The maximum number of participants in a workshop is 6-8 persons in Sello and 8-10 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 April from 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 8th May from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 13th May from 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 22nd May from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 27th May from 11.00 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)

Walk-in counselling days

In the walk-in days, you can get short counselling (max. 30 min / person) without booking an appointment. The counselling 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 counselling. The housing counsellors do not give out apartments, recommendations or statements. Interpretation available on the phone if needed.

Upcoming walk-in days:
– Tue 6th May from 9.35 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)
– Thu 15th May from 12.05 p.m. to 2.50 p.m., Iso Omena library, meeting room Kari
– Tue 20th May April from 9.35 a.m. to 12.20 p.m., Sello library, meeting room Elina (2nd floor)

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
No workshops Thursday 1st May (May Day) and Thursday 29th May (Ascension Day).

Housing counselling will participate in the pop up event at Läkkiitori (Leppävaara) with Askeleen edellä project on Tuesday 6th May, from 11.45 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. We will offer free counselling on housing related questions and share some brochures. Welcome to meet us!