Landlady in Rovaniemi switches apartment to short-term rentals, forcing single mother to relocate

Anna Lamminsivu from Rovaniemi faced eviction from her rented apartment when her landlord opted to switch to short-term vacation rentals. The growing popularity of this type of rental in Rovaniemi has driven up rental prices and decreased availability. Some estimates suggest that as much as a third of Rovaniemi’s rental housing stock is used for short-term accommodations during peak seasons, leading to significant issues in the housing market.

The current legislation has not kept pace with the surge in short-term rentals, complicating efforts for fair regulation and management. Many landlords are increasingly enticed by the potential for higher earnings, prompting a shift from long-term rental agreements to short-term leasing for tourists.

Lamminsivu had lived in her apartment for three years before learning of the landlord’s decision to repurpose it for vacation rentals. Although she could have theoretically renewed her rental agreement, the price increase would have been prohibitive for her as a single mother. Rental prices in Rovaniemi have risen significantly, with short-term rentals averaging around 250 euros per night in December, compared to her previous rent of 760 euros per month.

Despite the difficulties she faced when seeking new housing, ultimately, Lamminsivu is satisfied with her new home found through social media. It is smaller and farther from the city center but aligns better with her desire for a more nature-oriented environment. The local authorities estimate that around a quarter of residential properties in Rovaniemi center lack permanent residents and are likely being used for short-term rentals. Meanwhile, calls for clearer regulations on short-term rentals continue as Finland lacks comprehensive national legislation on the matter.