Keys
On this page, you will find practical instructions for collecting, using, updating, and returning keys. We also provide information about door openings, additional keys, handling lost keys, and special situations. The instructions are divided into clear sections based on the different stages of the tenancy.
At the beginning of your tenancy
- You can collect the keys to your apartment no earlier than 12.00 (noon) on the starting date of your tenancy agreement. Please note! The starting date of the tenancy agreement is not always the first day of the month.
- When your tenancy agreement begins, we will place the keys in the key box by 16.00. without a separate request. You will receive a PIN code for the key box and the main door by text message and email once your keys are ready for collection. The keys can be collected within 7 days of receiving the PIN code.
- If you arrive later, please inform Soihtu of your move-in date by submitting a key box request. Please submit the form well in advance, no later than 3 working days before your move.
- If you want to, you can also pick up the keys from Soihtu Housing service point during its opening hours or by booking an appointment. When picking up the keys from the service point, you must have a valid ID with a picture with you.
- If you want to, you can authorize someone else to pick up the keys for you. It’s easy to do that on Tenant’s Page – when you have logged in, you can write us a message telling the name and birth date/personal identity code of the person who’s coming to pick up the keys.
- You can also ask someone else to pick up the keys on your behalf – just forward the PIN code to them.
- Your tenancy agreement must be signed before picking up the keys.
- In accordance with good rental practice, we will hand over one apartment key and one spare key to the tenant when moving in. If more than one tenant lives in the same apartment, everyone gets their own key, and you also a shared spare key.
- In some apartment buildings there is separate keys for post lockers and common rooms. You can check which keys are in use in your building on the page Types of keys.
- If a tenant wants, we can make extra apartment keys (1 apartment key / resident). You can order extra keys to the key box. They will be charged from the tenant according to our price list afterwards.
- Please also remember to take good care of your keys. We will always charge the tenant for lost keys or key cards.
- Note! It is not allowed to make a hole for a ring to contactless the key card because the card will be damaged and useless.
There are different keys in use for Soihtu’s buildings. Below, you’ll find building-specific information on what keys are used in which housing location.
| Building | Contactless key card | Magnetic stripe key card | Village key (contactless) | Metal key |
| Student Village A-J, R-T | X | X | ||
| Student Village K-L | X | X | ||
| Student Village MNOP | X | X | ||
| Student Village Q | X | X | ||
| Student Village U | X | |||
| Soihtu Korttelikylä | X | |||
| Soihtu Vehkakuja | X | X |
Updating the keys
Contactless key cards
Tenants must take care of updating the contactless key cards themselves. Contactless key cards are valid for 5 months at a time.
Contactless key cards are in use in these buildings:
- Buildings A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, R, S, T and U in the Student Village
- Soihtu Korttelikylä.
In addition, the Village key card that is given to those tenants who have magnetic stripe key cards is a contactless key card.
When the key cards of the shared apartments in buildings H, J, F, R and S will expire and have to be replaced, Soihtu will inform the tenants on when and how to do that.
Magnetic stripe key cards
When magnetic stripe key cards will expire and have to be replaced, Soihtu will inform the tenants on when and how to do that.
Magnetic stripe key cards are in use in these buildings:
- Building M, N, O and P in the Student Village
- Soihtu Vehkakuja
- some of the temporary storages
- Tenants must take care of updating the contactless key cards themselves.
- With the devices located in the lobby of Rentukka and in the lobby of building D in Soihtu Korttelikylä, the tenants can add to the validity period on their cards. You can update the cards at any time convenient for you, and the device increases the validity period by 5 months at a time. Please see further instructions on updating contactless key cards.
- Note: You need to update all key cards you have in use at the same time, so that you use one key card by the machine at the time. This way all key cards work properly after updating.
- If a tenant doesn’t update their key cards in time and has to call for a door-opening, the door-opening fee will be charged from the tenant.
- Soihtu will inform tenants on replacing the key cards. Typically, tenants can pick up new key cards from the key box during a certain time period. Old key cards must be returned to Soihtu.
- If a tenant doesn’t pick up their new key cards in time and has to call for a door-opening, the door-opening fee will be charged from the tenant.
Issues with keys
If you lose your key, you can pick up a new one from the Soihtu Housing service point or arrange for it to be collected from theSoihtu Housing key box. You will be charged for the lost key according to our price list for damages and services.
- The key cards are valid for a limited time after which the keys have to be updated by the tenant or changed to new ones, depending on the type of the key card.
- If your key card is worn out or non-functioning in any other way, you can replace it by requesting new key cards into the key box or by picking up a new key card from Soihtu Housing service point. You have to return your old key although it might be broken – otherwise it will be charged from you. If you pick up new key cards from the key box, put the old key cards in an envelope and return the through the key return slot outside the service point – remember to include your name and address in the envelope.
- If you forget to update or pick up a new key card and have to ask the Soihtu Facility Services to open the door, the service will becharged from you.
- Note! It is not allowed to make a hole for a ring to contactless the key card because the card will be damaged and useless.
- You can call for a door opening that issubject to charge by calling the on-call number any time of day. Notice, that the same price list is valid, if you need a door opening to a common room.
- The phone number for door-openings is always +358 10 524 8315 (chargeable).
- Doors are opened on working days between 7 and 15.30 by Soihtu Facility Services and at other times Certego 24/7. The invoice for the door-opening is sent via email afterwards.
- Wait for the door-opener within eyesight of the door. The ordered and uncancelled door opening will be charged, if the tenant cannot be reached.
- The door can be opened only for the people living in the apartment according to the information submitted to Soihtu.
- If you don’t need the door-opening you ordered, call the same number to cancel it. If you don’t cancel it, we will charge you the normal price for door-opening.
If any lost and found keys are brought to Soihtu Housing service point, we try to find out the apartment the keys belong to. The keys are marked as returned and an automatic message for that key return is sent to the tenant. The tenant can then order the key to the key box or pick it up from the service point during its opening hours.
Soihtu doesn’t collect or accept any other lost and found items.
At the end of your tenancy
Return your keys the latest on the last day of your tenancy agreement, by 23.59 (midnight).
If you are moving to another Soihtu apartment, you are usually expected to return your keys on the following day that your previous agreement ends, by 12.00 (noon). The agreed return time can be checked from the termination confirmation message you have received.
Return the keys in an envelope to the Soihtu Housing key return slot outside the main entrance of Student House Ilokivi (Keskussairaalantie 2). Include your name and address in the envelope.

You will automatically receive a confirmation email when we have processed the keys you returned. The message lists the returned keys as well as any keys still in your possession. If you notice you have forgotten to return a key, return it immediately.
Make sure you to return all keys you have received. Depending on your apartment, you might have different keys such as
- Heating post key
- Apartment keys
- Spare apartment key
- Village key card
- Mailbox keys
- Room key
Any keys that are not returned or are returned late or in a wrong place will be charged according to our price list. Please note that, if the next tenant cannot move into the apartment because you returned your keys late, the costs will be charged from you.
Responsibilities regarding moving out
- Remember, that before you move out you need to give the notice of your tenancy agreement (if you don’t have a fixed-term lease). Notice must always be given in writing.
- By returning the keys, you are handing over the apartment back to the landlord. The apartment must be empty and cleaned at that time.
- It is the responsibility of the tenant to return the keys to the landlord on time. Late or incorrectly returned keys will be charged to you according to the price list.
- If you do not return the keys after the lease has ended, by law you are obligated to pay rent for the period of possession. The period of possession refers to the time you use the apartment for living or storing items, or when you still have the keys in your possession.
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