Helsinki opens housing advice-line in English

A new English advice-line will help international movers to review the housing options available in Helsinki, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Friday.

It offers practical advice about the processes related to house-hunting and shares information about the local housing market.

Helsinki’s housing advice line named International House answers queries twice a week about renting, tenancy, and buying.

It helps callers map out the location of schools and day-care services, and includes information about public transport connections.

Callers can ask about documentation attached to both renting and buying, and receive direction about the responsibilities in tenancy.

Newcomers receive instructions about recycling and how the common facilities are used in apartment buildings, such as sauna and laundry rooms.

Additionally, the line answers queries about local services, like how public transport operates around the city and where schools and day-care facilities are located in the neighbourhoods.

Adding English services in the capital is part of a wider initiative by the City of Helsinki aimed at improving services for the international residents living there.

The advice line particularly takes into account that local housing options are diverse, but often, especially the foreign newcomers do not come across the whole range of information.

International House Helsinki’s housing advice line number is 010 202 4666. The service is open on Mondays from 8:30 to 12:30 and on Wednesdays from 14:00 to18:00, the press release added.