Apartment During a Plumbing Renovation: 7-Point Checklist

When choosing an apartment for the duration of a plumbing renovation, consider how your everyday life will continue while you are away from home. An available date or an affordable daily rate alone does not tell you whether a temporary home will suit your workdays, cooking and rest.

Start by finding out from the housing company or property manager when restrictions on using your apartment will begin. You can then compare accommodations using the same information: period, number of residents, location, required services and the total price of the accommodation.

1. Make sure when you need to move out

The possibility of living in your apartment during a plumbing renovation depends on how the work is carried out and on the work phases in your own apartment. The housing company's general renovation schedule alone does not tell you when the kitchen, toilet or washing facilities in your particular home will be available.

Ask in writing for an estimate of when work affecting your apartment will start and end, which facilities you can use and how schedule changes will be communicated. The Housing Managers' Association of Finland and RIL plumbing renovation guide helps you understand the stages of the renovation and arrangements for living during it.

Distinguish between the estimated move-out date and the estimated return date. If the exact return date is not yet known, ask before booking how the period can be changed.

2. Choose a location based on your everyday life

Look at the places you visit often on a map: your workplace, school, daycare, loved ones and grocery store. Also consider how the journey would work using the modes of transport you actually use.

If you drive, check the location and price of the parking space and whether it needs to be reserved. If you use public transport, find out whether connections suit your usual departure and return times. A central location is not automatically the best option if your daily journeys take you elsewhere.

If you are looking for a temporary home in Turku or Pori, explore Mera's homes and compare the location of each property with your everyday needs.

3. Check the equipment and functionality of the space

A furnished apartment can reduce the amount you need to move when furniture and the equipment needed in everyday life are already there. Still, check what is included in the accommodation on a property-by-property basis.

Cooking: a kitchen or kitchenette, refrigeration, a stove and the dishes you need.
Laundry: a washing machine in the apartment, a shared laundry room or another practical arrangement.
Sleeping: the number and placement of beds and the possibility of having privacy.
Remote work: an internet connection and a suitable desk and chair for work.
Arrival: the floor, elevator, stairs and carrying belongings into the apartment.

Also ask in advance about pets, accessibility needs and other matters that are essential to you. A photograph alone does not confirm these details.

4. Compare the total cost of the accommodation

Ask for the price for the entire period and number of residents you need. Find out which costs are included in the price and which are charged separately.

The comparison may include, for example, final cleaning, additional cleaning, bed linen, parking, internet, electricity and water. Whether these are included depends on the property and the agreed service. If a deposit is required, check its amount, payment method and refund terms.

Also compare alternative periods if the renovation end date is uncertain. A shorter booking followed by an extension may differ from one longer booking in terms of pricing and availability.

5. Agree on the terms for changes and extensions in writing

Before paying, check the booking dates, address, price, number of residents and the terms for changes and cancellations. Find out whom you are contracting with and whom to contact if problems arise.

Ask in particular:

Can the accommodation be extended, and when must the extension be agreed?
Will the same apartment be available then?
At what price are additional nights offered?
What happens if the renovation is completed earlier than estimated?

The possibility of an extension does not necessarily mean that the same apartment will be available. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority's accommodation service guidance can help you check the booking terms. A residential lease and an accommodation booking are not the same type of contract: make sure you know what kind of agreement you are entering into.

6. Make the move as easy as possible

Pack the things you need during the accommodation period and find out separately where the rest of your belongings will stay. Ask the renovation contact person how belongings left in your home will be protected and when you can visit the apartment.

Agree on key handover, arrival instructions and the accommodation contact person. Check arrangements for mail, deliveries and other services that use your address. For address-related matters, you can obtain instructions from the relevant service provider or authority when necessary.

When you arrive, record any shortcomings and report them to the accommodation provider so they can be addressed immediately.

7. Choose a home where an ordinary day works

The most important purpose of a temporary home is to help everyday life continue. Think about a typical workday from morning to evening: where you eat, work, store your belongings and unwind.

If quietness is especially important to you, ask about the surroundings and any known construction work. You should not judge how peaceful a property is based only on pictures or its location.

Once the period and your needs are clear, comparing accommodations becomes easier. For stays of at least 28 nights, Mera recommends getting in touch to find a suitable home and services. Explore long-stay accommodation options or contact us and tell us the estimated period, number of residents and your most important needs. Availability, price and any extension will be confirmed separately.

Image: Mera, Kakolan Torni. Explore Mera.

Frequently asked questions

Can you live at home during a plumbing renovation?

It depends on how the renovation is carried out and on the work phases in your own apartment. Ask the housing company or property manager when the toilet, washing facilities and kitchen will be available and whether living there involves other restrictions.

What information do I need to book a temporary apartment?

Prepare the estimated start and end dates, number of residents, preferred location and essential needs such as parking, laundry facilities, a remote-work space or accommodation for a pet. Check the equipment and terms for the property you choose.

What if the plumbing renovation is delayed?

Contact the accommodation provider as soon as you know about a schedule change. An extension depends on availability and the agreed terms; you should not assume that the same apartment or the original price will be available without confirmation.

Are all costs included in the price of a furnished apartment?

The contents vary by property and contract. Before booking, ask for the total accommodation price and a breakdown covering, for example, cleaning, bed linen, parking, internet, electricity and water.