Landlord continues renting to high-risk tenants despite property destruction

A landlord in Kouvola, Finland, still offers housing to tenants with poor credit histories and past evictions—even after one renter left her property completely destroyed—Yle reports.

Niina Koivikko, who manages dozens of rental units in the Kymenlaakso region, says she provides opportunities to those often rejected by municipal housing agencies, including people with unpaid rent debts or substance abuse histories. “People go through different phases in life,” she said. “I think, what if I were the one who could help someone out of a difficult situation?”

Her approach has led to setbacks, including a tenant who not only failed to pay rent but also smoked indoors, severely damaged the apartment, harassed neighbors, and threatened children. The unit required extensive renovations after the tenant—previously homeless—also allowed others to stay there illegally.

Municipal housing companies in the region, such as Kotka’s city-owned Kotkan Asunnot, enforce strict policies. Applicants with prior evictions or unpaid rent to the company are automatically disqualified unless debts are cleared. Even then, contracts are initially offered on a fixed-term basis, giving tenants a probationary period.

For those with substance abuse backgrounds, finding housing is particularly difficult. Supportive housing that permits controlled drug use—a model advocated by social workers—remains scarce. The Southeast Finland Sininauha association, which assists people with addiction and homelessness, refers clients to private landlords like Koivikko, whose requirements are less stringent.

Koivikko does set limits, refusing tenants likely to cause neighborhood disturbances. “Disruptive behavior is serious—it can affect an entire community,” she noted.

Local authorities acknowledge the gap in services. Kotka’s city government has begun discussions with the regional welfare agency to establish a supported housing unit for people with addictions, though no timeline has been set. Finland’s national homelessness program, aligned with the current government’s agenda, aims to eliminate long-term homelessness by 2027 using a “Housing First” approach—prioritizing stable housing before addressing other challenges.

“Everyone has the right to housing, regardless of their need for support or motivation to accept it,” said Veera Niemi, a social work lecturer at the University of Turku.