Changing apartments in Finland = a full-on mini-project: contracts, boxes and deadlines 😅 So here’s our go-to checklist for a smooth Finnish move
⚡ Before the move
☑ Notify your landlord that you’re moving out and check the move-out instructions in your rental contract.
☑ Apply for a new daycare or school place as soon as possible (you can do it on your new city’s website, e.g. helsinki.fi, espoo.fi, vantaa.fi). Inform the current daycare/school that you’re leaving, they’ll help with the transition paperwork.
☑ Submit a change of address here. You can choose to forward your mail and update your address in DVV at the same time.
☑ Get moving boxes and wrapping film (you’ll need more than you think). You can find them at Motonet, Biltema or Bauhaus.
☑ Initiate the deposit refund process with your landlord.
☑ Pause your gym membership, you’ll get plenty of exercise anyway 😅
☑ Update your pet’s address in the official register, if applicable.
☑ Empty your storage unit or basement.
☑ Apply for a new daycare or school place as soon as possible (you can do it on your new city’s website, e.g. helsinki.fi, espoo.fi, vantaa.fi). Inform the current daycare/school that you’re leaving, they’ll help with the transition paperwork.
☑ Submit a change of address here. You can choose to forward your mail and update your address in DVV at the same time.
☑ Get moving boxes and wrapping film (you’ll need more than you think). You can find them at Motonet, Biltema or Bauhaus.
☑ Initiate the deposit refund process with your landlord.
☑ Pause your gym membership, you’ll get plenty of exercise anyway 😅
☑ Update your pet’s address in the official register, if applicable.
☑ Empty your storage unit or basement.
⚡ Update your contracts
Most of these updates can be done online in your account or by phone.
Before the move, also make sure all your main service contracts are up to date:
🔸Electricity contract
☑ When you end your current contract, make sure to specify the exact last day in your old apartment so you don’t pay for extra days.
☑ Set up a new electricity contract for your new home. You can check the options at sahkovertailu.fi.
☑ Set up a new electricity contract for your new home. You can check the options at sahkovertailu.fi.
🔸 Internet contract
☑ Contact your provider to check if they cover your new address, in many cases you can transfer the same plan.
☑ If not, compare providers in your new area and schedule activation before moving day to avoid downtime.
☑ If not, compare providers in your new area and schedule activation before moving day to avoid downtime.
🔸 Home insurance
☑ Transfer your current insurance to your new address or compare new offers at vertaa.fi/kotivakuutus.
☑ Make sure the policy is active from your move-in date, because some landlords require proof before handing over the keys.
☑ Make sure the policy is active from your move-in date, because some landlords require proof before handing over the keys.
⚡ Moving day
☑ Book movers early (or prepare for a serious workout 😅). If you'd rather handle the move yourself, grab a few friends and rent a van it can actually be fun (and cheaper). You can find one on gomore.fi or 24rent.fi
We also can recommend Andrey’s team (+358 46 689 49 09), several people from our community have used their service and everything went super smoothly. They also shared a 10% discount with promo code Nerdsbay for moves across Finland and Europe.
☑ Plan parking for the moving van, especially in Helsinki and Espoo.
☑ Clean the apartment (hiring professionals can save you time and stress, highly recommend).
☑ Return all keys: double-check every copy to avoid extra fees. Take photos of the clean apartment and all facilities (bathroom, kitchen, balcony, etc.) so you can provide them to your landlord in case of any questions or claims about the condition.
☑ Pack a “first night” box: tea, coffee, charger, toothbrush, fresh clothes and some snacks.
☑ Clean the apartment (hiring professionals can save you time and stress, highly recommend).
☑ Return all keys: double-check every copy to avoid extra fees. Take photos of the clean apartment and all facilities (bathroom, kitchen, balcony, etc.) so you can provide them to your landlord in case of any questions or claims about the condition.
☑ Pack a “first night” box: tea, coffee, charger, toothbrush, fresh clothes and some snacks.
⚡ After the move
☉ Unpack the essentials first: kitchen, bed and shower stuff.
☉ Check your internet connection on the first day.
☉ Inspect your new apartment and report any damages or issues to the landlord immediately.
☉ Double-check your electricity and insurance contracts at your new address (sahkovertailu.fi / vertaa.fi/kotivakuutus).
☉ Check that your address has updated correctly in DVV.
☉ Meet your neighbours (Finnish “moikka!” goes a long way 👋).
☉ Check your internet connection on the first day.
☉ Inspect your new apartment and report any damages or issues to the landlord immediately.
☉ Double-check your electricity and insurance contracts at your new address (sahkovertailu.fi / vertaa.fi/kotivakuutus).
☉ Check that your address has updated correctly in DVV.
☉ Meet your neighbours (Finnish “moikka!” goes a long way 👋).
Moving can be stressful, but with a good checklist and good people it becomes just another little adventure 🩵
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