What does the reform mean for tenants?
Some of the changes also apply to existing tenancy agreements. Others, however, only apply to new agreements made on or after 1 October 2026. The changes below are clearly divided into two groups.
ALSO APPLIES TO EXISTING TENANCY AGREEMENTS
- Resident Information: The tenant must provide written notification of the number of persons residing in the apartment and the basis for the right of occupancy. For adults, the name, date of birth, and contact details must also be provided.
- Tenancy Deposit: The deposit will be returned or notification of its retention will be provided in writing no later than 14 days after the termination of the tenancy agreement or the return of possession of the apartment. The retention must be justified and its amount assessed.
- Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in the apartment, on the balcony, and in any other private indoor or outdoor space connected to the apartment without the landlord’s express permission. The prohibition also applies to electronic cigarettes.
- Electronic Communication: An agreement can be made regarding an electronic communication channel. A notification sent via the agreed channel is deemed to have been received three days after dispatch. Certain notifications must still be provided with proof of delivery.
- Termination of Tenancy: The landlord’s right to terminate is extended to situations involving extremely compelling reasons. Furthermore, the handling of property left in the apartment is regulated more precisely than before.
ONLY APPLIES TO NEW TENANCY AGREEMENTS
- Rent Increase: Notification of a rent increase must be given in writing. The notification must state the new rent, the effective date of the increase, and the grounds for the increase. Increased rent will not be collected retrospectively.
- Moving Day: The moving day is, as a rule, the termination date of the tenancy agreement, unless otherwise agreed between the parties.
- Duration of Agreement: A tenancy agreement that begins for a fixed term and continues indefinitely after the fixed term will have its own specific regulation under the law.
- Notice Period: For new agreements, the landlord’s notice period is three months for tenancies lasting less than two years, and four months for tenancies lasting at least two years. The tenant’s notice period remains one month.
WHAT SHOULD TENANTS DO?
✓ Keep your contact details up to date with the landlord.
✓ Note the new smoking ban in the apartment, on the balcony, and in associated spaces.
✓ When the tenancy ends, confirm the moving day and key handover.
✓ Inform the landlord of the details of persons residing in the apartment.
✓ Retain written notifications related to the tenancy.
✓ In unclear situations, contact the landlord or property management.
FAQ
I submitted a change of address notification to Taloherttua when I moved into the apartment. Do I need to report the information again?
If the resident information has not changed from what was previously reported, you do not need to submit a new notification now.
The number of residents has changed from what was previously reported. How do I report the change?
You can submit an arrival or departure notification for changed resident information using our change of address form.
My tenancy agreement started on 1 March 2017. Does the smoking ban also apply to me?
Yes. Going forward, smoking is prohibited in the apartment, on the balcony, terrace, in the apartment’s yard, in common areas, and in the immediate vicinity of the property. This change also applies to tenancy agreements that do not have a separate mention of a smoking ban.
Can I get special permission to continue smoking on the balcony? Constant movement in the stairwell causes disturbance to neighbours, especially at night.
We do not grant special permits for smoking. Smokers must ensure they do not disturb neighbours when smoking, and particular attention must be paid to this during quiet hours.
Where can I smoke in the future?
Smoking must be done far enough away from the property so that smoke does not enter the apartments. Smokers must ensure proper disposal of cigarette butts themselves.
Will there be a designated smoking area in the building’s yard?
As a rule, there will not be separate smoking areas in the yards. However, the resident committee can submit a written proposal to Taloherttua for the establishment of a smoking area.
