A Finnish housing system between renting and owning — how it works, where to search, and how to apply.
First apply for a national asumisoikeuden järjestysnumero (ASO order number) from Varke. Then search the housing providers, send an application directly to the provider that has the home you want, and wait for the provider to compare applicants by order number.
An asumisoikeusasunto, or ASO home, is a Finnish right-of-occupancy home. It is not a normal rental and it is not a home that you own. You receive a long-term right to live in the home and pay an initial asumisoikeusmaksu plus a monthly käyttövastike (occupancy charge).
The initial payment is usually about 15% of the home's original acquisition cost. The monthly charge covers the home's financing and maintenance costs. You do not buy the apartment and you cannot later convert it into your own property. If you give up the right of occupancy, the provider normally returns your payment according to the applicable rules, adjusted by the construction-cost index.
ASO housing can offer more stability than an ordinary rental, without requiring a full mortgage. The provider remains the owner, while you receive substantial protection as the resident. You must normally use the home as your own permanent residence.
Applicants must generally be at least 18 years old. There are no income limits. However, for applicants aged 18–54, the provider may assess whether the applicant needs an ASO home and whether the applicant or a family member moving into the home has enough property or assets to buy a suitable home in the same area. This assessment does not normally apply to applicants aged 55 or over or to people moving from one ASO home to another.
The final assessment is made by the housing provider. Read the provider's current instructions carefully, especially if you already own a home, have significant assets, or are applying together with family members.
You need an order number before you submit a normal application for an ASO home. Since 1 January 2024, the current national order number has been issued through the Valtion tukeman asuntorakentamisen keskus (Varke), the Finnish government agency responsible for state-supported housing.
You can apply with the paper form instead. Download the official order-number application form from Varke, complete it, and send it with proof of payment according to Varke's instructions. Paper forms may also be available at some government, municipal, and ASO provider service points. The current instructions and form should always be checked on the Varke website.
An applicant or applicant family can have only one valid Varke order number at a time. The number is personal to the application and is not a queue number for one specific apartment. A provider may apply for a number on your behalf if you agree this with the provider, but make sure you understand who is submitting the application and which household members are included.
There is no single national property portal that reliably replaces the providers' own websites. The safest method is to check several providers directly. The official ASO guidance currently lists 19 ASO communities. Availability, application methods, waiting lists, and the way homes are advertised can differ between providers.
Use this directory to search by city, region, apartment size, and availability. Open the provider's website and look for terms such as etsi asuntoa, vapaat asunnot, asumisoikeusasunnot, or asuntohaku.
| Provider | Main search link | Typical coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Asoasunnot Yrjö ja Hanna Oy | Yrjö ja Hanna ASO | Selected locations |
| Asumisoikeusyhdistys Suomen Omakoti | Suomen Omakoti | Selected locations |
| Asuntosäätiön Asumisoikeus Oy | Asuntosäätiö | More than 30 municipalities |
| AVAIN Asumisoikeus Oy | AVAIN | Several Finnish cities |
| Avo-Asumisoikeus Oy | Avo-Asunnot | Selected locations |
| ES-Laatuasumisoikeus Oy | ES-Laatuasunnot | Selected locations |
| Helsingin Asumisoikeus Oy (HASO) | HASO | Helsinki |
| Helsingin Seudun Asumisoikeusyhdistys (HELAS) | HELAS | Helsinki metropolitan area |
| Jyväskylän Seudun Asumisoikeusyhdistys | JYSÄ | Jyväskylä region |
| Kanta-Suomen Asumisoikeusyhdistys | Kanta-Suomen ASO | Selected locations |
| KAS asumisoikeus Oy | KAS ASO | Several Finnish cities |
| Mangrove Asumisoikeus Oy | Mangrove | Selected locations |
| Mikkelin Asumisoikeus Oy | Mikkelin ASO | Mikkeli |
| Vaasan Asumisoikeus-Vasa Bostadsrätt Ab | Vaasan ASO | Vaasa |
| Siilinjärven Asumisoikeus Oy | Siilinjärven ASO | Siilinjärvi |
| TA-Asumisoikeus Oy | TA-Asuntohaku | Many Finnish cities |
| Varsinais-Suomen Asumisoikeus Oy (VASO) | VASO | Turku region |
| Varttuneiden Asumisoikeusyhdistys Jaso | Jaso | Senior housing in selected locations |
| YH-Asumisoikeus Länsi Oy | YH Kodit | Western Finland and other locations |
Your valid order number, identity information, the people moving into the home, preferred municipalities and apartment sizes, proof of income or assets if requested, and information about your current home. Do not send sensitive documents through an unofficial channel.
| Cost or payment | What it means |
|---|---|
| Order-number fee | €9.20 for the Varke order number. |
| ASO payment | Usually about 15% of the home's original acquisition cost. This is paid when the contract is made. |
| Monthly occupancy charge | The recurring payment for living in the home. Compare it with similar homes in the area. |
| Utilities and other charges | Water, electricity, sauna, parking, internet, and laundry charges may be separate. |
| Moving and financing | Budget for moving costs and possible bank financing for the ASO payment. |
Apply for the order number early because it is valid for two years and can be used nationwide. Search several providers rather than waiting for one company. Be flexible about neighbourhoods, floor levels, apartment size, and move-in date if you need a home quickly. Always compare the total monthly cost, not only the advertised occupancy charge.
Before signing, ask the provider to explain the contract, the return conditions for the ASO payment, possible renovation responsibilities, notice periods, and any household-specific eligibility assessment. Keep copies of your application, order number, offer, and contract.
The current authority guidance is available from Varke. The official order-number service is hakija.aso.fi. The official directory of providers is available through the ASO guidance service.