Instructions for Internal Movers

Changing apartments, Moving

Moving between apartments with Soihtu is easy: you don’t have to follow the usual notice period, and the moving distance is short. However, moving always requires careful planning, but with these instructions, the task is easier.

When you have accepted the offer for a new apartment:

• Terminate your current apartment using the online notice form right after you have signed the new tenancy agreement (within two days at the latest). Select Changing apartments when filling in the form. The end date of your tenancy agreement will be the day before your new lease starts.
• Sign the new tenancy agreement electronically when you receive it in your email.

3-4 weeks before the move:

• Submit a change of address notification to Posti and the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
• Find out where and when you can get the key to your new apartment. With Soihtu, you can get the keys to your new apartment no earlier than the first business day of your lease at 12:00 noon. You also need to return the keys to your current apartment by this time.
• Plan the moving day; arrange for moving help and possibly a moving truck. A moving truck is especially useful when you need to return the keys to your old apartment before you can get the keys to your new one.

1-2 weeks before the move:

• Start packing your belongings well in advance. Pack carefully and take any unnecessary items to recycling.
• Clean the bathroom. Thoroughly clean the floors, walls, and bathroom fixtures to remove any limescale with cleaning agents. Empty and clean the floor drain.
• Clean the stove and oven. Also clean the floor and wall behind and around the oven.
• Clean the cooker hood and wash the grease filter with dish soap.
• Wipe the incoming air vents on the windows and the exhaust air vents on the ceilings. If the weather permits, also clean the windows.
• If you want to pick up the keys to your new apartment from the key box, make the request well before the moving day, at the latest on the previous day before 12 (noon). Note that the keys are often placed in the machine only on the first business day of the month in the afternoon (between 3pm and 4pm).

1-4 days before the move:

• Clean the kitchen. Empty the kitchen cabinets and wipe them down. Wipe the kitchen countertops and sink.
• Empty all apartment cabinets and wipe their shelves and doors.
• Wipe down all surfaces in the apartment, including countertops, radiators, and doors.
• Clean the toilet and washbasin.
• Empty the refrigerator and freezer and defrost them.
• Pack the remaining items. Leave unpacked only those you absolutely need in the last few days.

On moving day:

• Empty the apartment of all furniture and belongings. Remember to also empty any storage units and balconies.
• Take out all the trash from the apartment and clean the trash cabinet.
• Vacuum and wash the floors.
• Collect your mail from the mailbox.
• Return the apartment keys to the Soihtu Housing Service Point (Keskussairaalantie 2) no later than 12:00 noon on the first business day of the month. Please note that returning keys on time to the landlord is the tenant’s responsibility. Late or incorrect returns will be charged according to the compensation price list. Please note also that if the incomplete move-out or cleaning prevents the apartment inspection from taking place at 12:00 noon on the first working day of the month, an additional inspection will be conducted later. The tenant will be charged for the additional inspection according to the compensation price list.
• Pick up the keys to your new apartment from 12:00 noon onwards at the Soihtu Housing Service Point or from the key box after receiving a pick-up notification.
• Inspect the new apartment and complete the apartment card that you will receive via email within a few days. If you notice anything that requires immediate repair, submit a maintenance request.