In English

NOTE: We are developing bilingual website pages in Finnish and English!

What is Otokylä ry?

Otokylä ry is a student housing provider based in Oulu which rents apartments primarily to students. Otokylä ry offers around 600 housing units, mainly studio and one-bedroom apartments, but also two-bedroom apartments. The apartments are located in Höyhtyä, Kontinkangas, Kaukovainio and Intiö.

At the Otokylä ry office, you can take care of all matters related to applying for housing, as well as living in one of Otokylä ry’s apartments. The office is open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Tuesday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The office is located at Otokuja 2 in a low building between the A- and B-buildings at the street level. The entrance of the office can be found on the B-building side.

The Otokylä ry office employs three people, including the Executive Director Matti Matinheikki.

  • Phone: +358 40 594 2672
  • Email: toimisto(at)otokyla.fi

Available for pickup/loan from the office:

  • Smoke detectors with batteries included
  • Fluorescent tube lamps (regular incandescent bulbs must be purchased separately)
  • Oven lamps
  • Refrigerator lamps
  • Collection of used lamps and batteries
  • Vacuum cleaner available for borrowing
  • Carpet beater available for borrowing

History of Otokylä ry

The housing committee was established in 1966 with the support of the staff of the Oulu Technical Institute, and later that year, the founding meeting of the Oulu Technical Institute Student Housing Support Association was held.

At the end of July 1970, the first apartment building (A-building in Höyhtyä), containing 72 two-person rooms, was completed and the first resident moved in a couple of weeks later. B-building was completed in 1971, followed by C- and D-buildings in 1973. Major renovations included:

  • 1987: Basic renovations began (heating and window renovations)
  • 1991: A-building renovation
  • 1993: B-building renovation
  • 1994: C-building renovation
  • 1995: D-building renovation
  • 2010: Balcony repairs
  • 2013: Window and lock replacements
  • 2014: Exterior door replacements

In 2006, four properties on Kiviharjuntie were renovated, adding 136 apartments. A-, B-, and C-buildings each have 40 apartments, while D-building has 16 apartments. Viestikatu 10, completed in 2005, consists of three buildings with a total of 73 apartments and commercial spaces. Eight apartment buildings with exterior-access balconies were completed at Kultatie 3 in 2008, with a total of 144 apartments.

Properties

All our apartments are located near a unit of OSAO (Oulu Vocational College), OAMK (Oulu University of Applied Sciences) campus, or OY (University of Oulu) campus.

The apartments on Otokuja, Hanhitie, and Kultatie are close to OSAO’s Kaukovainio Technical and Services units, while the apartments on Kiviharjuntie are near OSAO’s Kontinkangas unit, OAMK’s Kontinkangas campus, and OY’s Kontinkangas campus.

From the Viestikatu apartments, the distance to OSAO’s Kontinkangas unit is approximately 1.5 km, and to the Technical and Services unit about 3 km, on foot or by bicycle. The distance to OAMK’s Kontinkangas campus is around 1.5 km, and to OY’s Kontinkangas campus about 2 km, also on foot or by bicycle.

Furthermore, all our apartments are conveniently located near bus stops, providing easy access for OAMK and OY students commuting to the Linnanmaa campus.

Among Otokylä ry’s properties, you will surely find the right type of housing for you. We have considered both students living alone and those planning to start a family. We strive, whenever possible, to take into account each applicant’s personal preferences and special needs.

Click on the ”Kohteet” dropdown menu to view our available and soon-to-be available apartments.

General information regarding properties:

  • Electricity contract: Residents of every apartment building need to arrange their own electricity contract. The only exception are the residents of Otokuja 2 which have the electricity cost included in the rent.
  • Water fee: The water fee for the residents of every apartment building, except for residents of Viestikatu 10, is included in the rent. The residents of Viestikatu 10 need to pay an advance fee of €15/month (reconciled twice a year).
  • Storage units: The location of the storage units are as follows:
    • Hanhitie 17M: In the basement and bomb shelter.
    • Kiviharjuntie 10: In the basement and attic of buildings A, B, and C, and in the attic of building D.
    • Kultatie 3: In buildings B, D, F, and H.
    • Otokuja 2: The ground floor of buildings B, C, and D.
    • Viestikatu 10: The ground floor of building A.
  • Sauna reservations: Residents of every apartment building, except for residents of Viestikatu 10, can reserve a time slot to use the sauna facilities for private use through the Kodinportti app. The use of the sauna is included in the rent. The private reservation times are as follows:
    • Hanhitie 17M: Fridays and Saturdays between 17:00-22:00.
    • Kiviharjuntie 10: Fridays and Saturdays between 17:00-22:00.
    • Kultatie 3: Fridays and Saturdays between 17:00-22:00.
    • Otokuja 2: A-building: Fridays and Saturdays (17:00-22:00), B-building: Fridays and Sundays (17:00-22:00), C-building: Wednesdays (18:00-22:00) and Saturdays (17:00-22:00), D-building: Tuesdays (18:00-22:00) and Fridays (17:00-22:00).
  • Laundry room: Every apartment building has a laundry room which residents can make use of by reserving a time slot in the Kodinportti app. The use of the laundry room is included in the rent of every resident in every apartment building.
  • Bicycle storage: The locations of the bicycle storage are as follows:
    • Hanhitie 17M: Basement floor.
    • Kiviharjuntie 10: Basement floor.
    • Kultatie 3: In the middle of the yards.
    • Otokuja 2: Ground floor.
    • Viestikatu 10: Ground floor and basement floor.
  • Parking spaces: The parking space rental fee for the residents of every apartment building is €15/month. The residents of Viestikatu 10 have an additional option to rent a covered parking space for €23/month.
  • Broadband/Internet connection: Every apartment building is equipped with a 100 Mbps broadband connection provided by DNA. The cost of the internet usage is included in the rent.
  • Security deposit: The security deposit fee that is paid when the tenancy agreement has been signed is €200 for the residents of every apartment building, except for the residents of Viestikatu 10 whose security deposit fee is €250.
  • Smoking: Please note that smoking indoors is prohibited in all Otokylä properties, and at Kultatie 3, also in the external-access corridors. Smoking is only allowed outdoors in the immediate vicinity of ashtrays.
  • Gym: A gym is located in the basement of Otokuja 2 C-Building which is freely available for all our residents. Please remember a few things about using the gym:
    • Substance-free space
    • The gym is used at your own risk
    • Gym usage is allowed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Frequently asked questions

How long is my housing application valid?
The application is valid for 3 months.

How can I get information about available apartments?
A list of available apartments can be found here. However, the most up-to-date information is available by phone. Once you receive confirmation of your study place, call the Otokylä office as soon as possible, and we will inform you about the housing situation. Please remember to submit your housing application before contacting us.

Are pets allowed in the apartments?
Yes, they are.

Are the apartment furnished?
No, they are not. Otokylä apartments are not pre-furnished, so you can decorate them as you wish.

What is Kodinportti?
Kodinportti Mobile is an application that can be downloaded to a phone or tablet, which you need to reserve laundry room and sauna slots. Announcements for residents are also sent through the app. You can get a username and password from the Otokylä ry office.

Can I install a dishwasher in my apartment by myself?
A professional installer is allowed to install a dishwasher. A safety tray must be placed under the machine. Home insurance does not cover damage caused by installation errors. You can contact, for example, LVI-Palvelu Pitkälä at +358 40 592 8000. They will bill you directly for the work.

How long can I live in a Otokylä apartment after I graduate?
After you finish your studies, you can continue living there as usual.

Property Maintenance

Our property maintenance is handled by Kukkohovi Palvelut Oy.

  • You can reach our property caretaker Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at +358 45 106 3551.
  • At other times, you can contact the Kukkohovi Palvelut Oy on-call service at +358 400 685 302.

Fault Report

If you notice any faults or issues in your apartment or in common areas, please report them to the office using the electronic fault report form or directly to property maintenance. Even a small fault should be reported to avoid greater damage.

Urgent issues, such as pipe leaks or water damage, should be reported by phone:

  • Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00 to the property caretaker at +358 45 106 3551 or the office number +358 8 332 672.
  • Mon-Fri 16:00-08:00 and on weekends, to the on-call service at +358 400 685 302.

Applying

Instructions on applying for housing

You can file your application here. (The form is both in Finnish and English)

  • All tenants must pay an advance security deposit, which will be returned when the tenancy agreement expires, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  • You can inquire about apartments by phone, email, or by visiting the office.
  • The validity period of the application is 3 months.
  • An application for a minor must be completed so that the primary applicant is the guardian, and the secondary applicant is the person moving into the apartment.
  • Once you have received the apartment, you will receive a tenancy agreement with attachments and instructions via email.
  • You can inquire about the status of your application by email or phone.