Student housing is generally organised by established student housing foundations. In Savonlinna, the name of the foundation is Savonlinnan Opiskelijaasunnot Oy/ SAO (http://www.sao.fi/) It is not owned or controlled by the university. The student housing situation in Savonlinna is good and, usually, we have no difficulties in finding you a place to stay if you inform us at least two months in advance. You will be living in an ordinary student house with Finnish and foreign students.

In most dormitories, each student has their own room but share the kitchen and bathroom with 1-2 other students. The dormitories usually have well-equipped common rooms (sauna, laundry room, club premises, etc.). However, there are no catering services at the student houses. Most student houses are centrally located (15-25 min. by foot from the departments).

The rents vary depending on the location of the dormitory and on the size of the room (approx. EUR 200 month/person). This includes water, heating, electricity, furniture, bed clothes*, basic kitchenware* and the use of sauna and washing machine (*these items are only in the flats reserved for visiting foreign students). The rent is paid once a month in advance.

• A deposit of 110 euros is payable to the housing office (SAO) upon signing the rental agreement. SAO will return the deposit to you/ your account when you move out and return the key provided that you have paid all rent dues and kept your flat clean and in good condition
• If you decide to move out from a SAO flat, it is possible to do so if you inform the SAO a month before on your intentions (15th or 30th of each month). (For example, if you leave December 20, you should inform SAO by November 15).
• Usually the housing contracts can be extended from the original agreement without any difficulties if you inform SAO a month beforehand.
• Please send the housing application directly to the International Relations Coordinator (Savonlinna campus) , not to SAO (see Contact Information).

Student Housing Company in Savonlinna:
Savonlinnan Opiskelija- ja Nuorisoasunnot Oy (SAO)
Contact Person: Ms. Heli Tietäväinen
Puistokatu 13
FIN-57100 Savonlinna, FINLAND
E-mail: sao@isyhr.fi
Fax +358 (0) 15 575 6138, Tel. +358 (0) 15 5756112
http://www.sao.fi/(Finnish pages)