HS: Tenant Caught Running Illegal Airbnb from Subsidized Heka Apartment

A Helsinki city-owned rental apartment in the Vallila neighborhood has appeared on Airbnb. This occurs despite strict rules prohibiting tenants from subletting subsidized housing, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

The studio is listed at approximately 80 EUR per night.

According to Helsingin Sanomat, the apartment’s monthly rent is around 400 EUR, meaning the tenant can recoup an entire month’s housing costs with just five overnight bookings.

The listing describes the unit as a “bright and tidy city home where urban energy meets nature.” All guests have awarded it five stars, with the most recent review posted in early February. Reviewers praise its coziness, cleanliness, and the host’s dedication, noting they deliver keys even in the middle of the night.

HS attempted to contact the tenant through Airbnb’s messaging system, but the host blocked the newspaper without responding.

Housing authority responds

Heka, the city’s housing company, manages roughly 55,000 rental units built with state subsidies. These apartments are intended to provide affordable housing to low-income Helsinki residents and those with urgent housing needs.

CEO Maria Aspala confirmed that reports of suspected Airbnb activity come in regularly, though exact figures are not tracked. She declined to comment on the specific case, citing tenant privacy.

She told HS that short-term subletting was already prohibited, but rules were tightened further in November. Rentals lasting less than one month are now explicitly banned across all Heka properties.

Violators face escalating penalties: first a warning, then potential lease termination or cancellation if the activity continues. The process follows standard rental law procedures.

Finland’s social housing system is designed to support vulnerable populations facing housing insecurity.

When tenants exploit subsidized units for profit on short-term rental platforms, it undermines the system’s purpose and diverts resources away from those who need them most.

Across Europe, cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Paris have implemented increasingly strict regulations on platforms like Airbnb to protect affordable housing stock, a trend Helsinki has recently begun following.