Heka announces rent increases in Helsinki, impacting residents across Finland

Finland’s largest landlord, Heka (Helsinki City Housing), announced its rent increases for next year on Wednesday. According to Heka, most increases will range between two and six percent, with the maximum rent rise reaching as high as 9.5 percent.

In response to inquiries on its website about how these rent hikes will impact residents, Heka received over a hundred responses. Interviews revealed that respondents were Heka tenants.

Outi Mehto, a 36-year-old mother living in a Heka unit, found that her family’s rent would increase by just over five percent, equating to an additional 60 euros on her current rent of about 1,200 euros per month. Mehto noted that the anticipated rise has heightened tensions both in her neighborhood and within her own thoughts, emphasizing how significant the total increase has been over recent years, having risen from around 800 euros.

Mehto highlighted concerns regarding the quality of renovations in Heka properties, stating that “the quality of the apartments does not match their price,” and lamented being a payer amid these issues. She mentioned that while they could manage the rent increase for now, it would restrict their ability to spend on local services like restaurants.

Heka’s CEO, Jaana Närö, explained that the rent increases are attributed to rising costs and vacancies within their properties. Moreover, single parent Ira Einiö, who switched from a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom apartment two years ago, reported an expected increase of around 40 euros next year, stressing that such rises can pose challenges for single-income households.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old Anita Nyberg, a long-time Heka resident, anticipates a rent increase of about 34 euros. Given these hikes, she has considered returning to part-time work to supplement her pension, suggesting the elimination of income limits for Heka apartments to better accommodate the high demand.