To:fintia@yahoogroups.com From:"Shailendra Musale" Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001 14:51:58 -0000 Reply-to:fintia@yahoogroups.com Subject:[fintia] Changes to Law about Rental Accommodations Hello All, [ IMPORTANT ] As this important information, I am sending this under a separate subject (and not under "Re: Looking for apartment") subject. One of Finnish friends informed me that the law related to rental accommodations was changed in March 2001. Due this change in law, you will notice that there aren't as many ads there used to be. Previously, the agent's fee was the tenant's responsibility. However, due new modified law, whoever hires the agent pays his fee. In other words, if an owner wants the dealer to find a tenant, then the *owner* has to pay the agent's fee, and this has discouraged the market somewhat. The owners, naturally, do not want to pay agent's fee. The agents also, now a days, don't put ads about rental flats, but a prospective tenant has to contact the agent and let them know: 1) What kind of apartment he's looking for (there is a kind of registration process for this) 2) And, has commit to pay the fee if (and only if) a suitable apartment is found and the contract is made. After that the agent starts looking for a flat and notifies him if there are candidates that match tenant's requirements. Please be aware that if you find a flat from the ads, then ALWAYS ask who pays the agent's fee. I would say that in 90% of cases, it's still the tenant who has to pay. So be prepared for the agent's fee. Regards, Shailendra 18 June, 2001 ____________________________________________________________