An entrepreneur in Helsinki has had to remove his rental apartment from Airbnb after it came to light that short-term rentals are against the rules set by Helsinki's city housing company, Heka. The matter was brought to public attention by city councilor Otto Meren, leading to inquiries that prompted the removal of the listing. The entrepreneur, who was renting the studio apartment while being temporarily in Spain, claimed he was unaware of the prohibition against short-term rentals until contacted by reporters from Helsingin Sanomat.

According to the entrepreneur, the apartment was listed on Airbnb for less than a month at a price of approximately 80 euros per night, while the monthly rent is about 400 euros. The reason for his short-term rental was to cover costs while he was away. This situation highlights a broader issue regarding the use of public rental housing and how it is managed, especially in a city where housing is allocated primarily to lower-income residents.

Heka has strict regulations concerning the short-term rental of its properties, emphasizing that their apartments are intended for those in need of affordable housing. This incident underscores ongoing debates in Helsinki about housing policies, the regulation of short-term rentals, and the importance of ensuring that public resources are reserved for those who require them most, raising questions about compliance and enforcement of such housing rules.