Lakea’s Omaksi residents seek injunction to block sale of their homes

Residents of Lakea’s Omaksi housing scheme have filed for an injunction in district court to prevent the sale of their homes by the bankrupt estate, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The application, submitted to South Ostrobothnia District Court on April 14, covers shares in 23 housing companies—representing roughly 1,000 apartments across Finland. The move follows Lakea’s bankruptcy last August, which left residents facing the loss of homes they had partially paid for under the unique Omaksi ownership model.

Lawyer Joonas Metsämäki, representing the residents, told Yle the injunction aims to secure their legal position before any sales proceed. “They’ve paid tens of thousands for these homes,” he said, noting that current interpretations of the bankruptcy estate deny residents any claim to the properties. A hearing is expected in May, with a decision potentially halting sales temporarily.

The Omaksi model allowed residents to build equity through rent payments and upfront deposits, but its legal status remains unclear. Residents argue their rights lie with the separate housing company bankruptcies—not Lakea’s parent estate—though access to those proceedings has been blocked.

Metsämäki confirmed that further legal challenges, including complaints over creditor meetings, are also underway. Regardless of the injunction’s outcome, he stressed that efforts to clarify residents’ rights will continue.