Tenants can avoid many problems with written evidence

Renting a home is often perceived as a carefree experience, free from the burdens of homeownership. Unlike owning property, renting typically means maintenance issues like leaky pipes are handled by the property management company at the landlord's expense, and yard work is usually not the tenant's responsibility.

However, the situation can become complicated when landlords neglect their duties. A recent report highlighted a landlord in Turku whose tenants faced various problems, including receiving false information about apartments and not getting their security deposits back. According to Anne Viita, operations director at the Tenants' Association (Vuokralaiset ry), most landlord-tenant disputes center on the return of security deposits.

"Landlords hold onto a hundred, a hundred and fifty euros, making it not worth the tenant's while to pursue it in district court because the costs exceed the benefit," Viita explained. Landlords often attempt to withhold deposits, citing inadequate move-out cleaning or damages caused by the tenant. Viita noted that landlords must prove damages exceed "normal wear and tear" to legally retain a deposit.

Viita advises tenants to avoid such issues by keeping written evidence. This includes saving apartment advertisements and documenting any damage or existing marks on walls, ideally with the landlord present during the move-in inspection. Normal wear and tear, such as minor scratches or indentations from furniture, is generally acceptable. However, scratches from dragging furniture or wine stains on a vinyl floor are not. Tenants should use protective mats under chairs that may cause scratches and be mindful of how they hang pictures.

When moving out, tenants must clean the apartment thoroughly. If a security deposit is not returned properly and discussions with the landlord fail, tenants can contact the Consumer Disputes Board or a district court. While the Consumer Disputes Board offers a free process, decisions can take up to 28 months and are only recommendations. District court is more appropriate for larger sums, typically thousands of euros.

“

The landlord has a duty to prove that the damages are caused by the tenant and that they exceed the limits of 'normal wear and tear' in order to retain the deposit.