In Finland, a troubling case has emerged regarding a rental dispute between tenants and their landlord. The Consumer Disputes Board has advised the landlord to refund 1,460 euros of the 1,500-euro rental deposit that was completely withheld because of claims of damages including a dirty oven and insufficient cleaning. The board found that the landlord failed to provide any evidence regarding the condition of the apartment when the rental agreement commenced, and therefore, the grounds for withholding such a substantial amount were deemed insufficient.

The tenants, who had ended their lease for a 64-square-meter apartment in July 2023, were shocked to find that their landlord had not returned any portion of their deposit despite no valid justification provided. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the landlord, it was not until October 2023 that they were finally able to communicate with them about the situation. The landlord’s lack of communication and justification has raised significant concerns about tenant rights and the responsibilities of landlords in Finland.

The board concluded that the only justified deduction from the security deposit was a mere 40 euros, which represented the cost of two hours of cleaning work needed to address the oven and bathroom issues. This case highlights the ongoing disputes between landlords and tenants in Finland, raising questions about deposit refunds and proper property maintenance, as well as the broader implications for housing standards and tenant protections in the country.