{"id":2800,"date":"2026-11-09T17:42:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T15:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/?p=2800"},"modified":"2026-11-09T18:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T16:04:35","slug":"short-term-rental-ban-housing-company-buyers-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/en\/short-term-rental-ban-housing-company-buyers-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Short-term rental ban in a housing company: what buyers need to check"},"content":{"rendered":"

A short-term rental ban in a housing company is something many buyers never think to check. Not because they are careless, but because no one necessarily reminds them before the purchase. The restriction can appear in the articles of association or house rules, and it may mean that Airbnb-style rental is not possible at all, or is tightly limited. If a buyer has based their return expectations on short-term rental, this is a deal-breaker.<\/p>\n\n

Where the restriction is found<\/h2>\n\n

A housing company can restrict short-term rental through two different documents. The first is the articles of association, which is the founding document of a housing company<\/a>. The second is the house rules, which the general meeting can adopt through a lighter procedure than amending the articles of association.<\/p>\n\n

The practical difference is significant. Amending the articles of association generally requires a two-thirds majority at the general meeting and registration with the Trade Register. House rules can be updated more quickly. For a buyer, this means that a restriction in the house rules can in principle be changed more easily, but it is equally binding at the time of purchase.<\/p>\n\n

The articles of association are part of the standard purchase documents. The house rules and meeting minutes, however, are typically not readily available, so if short-term rental is on the buyer’s mind at all, it is worth raising the matter with the agent or seller, or asking the property manager for clarification.<\/p>\n\n

What the legislative reform changes<\/h2>\n\n

In November 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment issued its report on the government proposal to amend the Building Act. According to the committee’s proposal, an owner-occupied flat could be rented out on a short-term basis for up to 90 days per year without a separate permit from the authorities. The government proposal then proceeded to a plenary session of Parliament, and the act has not yet been passed.<\/p>\n\n

According to the committee’s proposal, rental beyond this limit would require a case-by-case assessment by the building control authority. The committee’s proposal would also allow a municipality to raise the limit to 180 days if it wished.<\/p>\n\n

At present, the law is ambiguous as to whether short-term rental constitutes accommodation services and whether it requires a permit. The reform would clarify the situation, but it does not remove a housing company’s right to impose its own restrictions. Housing companies can already prohibit Airbnb-style rental in their house rules, and many have done so.<\/p>\n\n

The legislative reform and a housing company’s internal rules are therefore two separate matters. Even if the law permits 90 days, the housing company can ban it entirely.<\/p>\n\n

What it means for personal use<\/h2>\n\n

Not all buyers purchase with investment in mind. Many want to rent out a flat during their holidays, or use it part of the year and cover costs with occasional short-term rental. A housing company ban applies to this as well.<\/p>\n\n

If the house rules state that short-term rental is prohibited, this generally covers all rental of less than 30 days, regardless of whether it involves a single weekend or repeated activity. The exact wording of the restriction varies from one housing company to another, so the document should be read rather than simply heard about second-hand.<\/p>\n\n

When it can be a deal-breaker<\/h2>\n\n

If a buyer has planned to purchase an investment flat for short-term rental<\/a> and the housing company has a ban in place, the purchase simply will not work as intended. The restriction cannot be circumvented, and no exemption can be applied for personally.<\/p>\n\n

If the likely buyers of a property are mainly investors or people interested in short-term rental, the restriction can narrow the pool of buyers and affect the resale value<\/a>. For those looking for an owner-occupied home for their own use, the restriction may make no difference, or may even be a positive factor.<\/p>\n\n

There are also situations where no restriction has been recorded in any document, but the board of directors has in practice intervened in short-term rental by way of a general meeting resolution or a letter. These are not as binding as the articles of association, but they indicate the culture of the housing company. The property manager can be asked whether the matter has been discussed at meetings.<\/p>\n\n

What to check before making a purchase decision if short-term rental is even a passing thought<\/h2>\n\n