Cottage rental agreement: template and key terms

Why a contract is especially important between private individuals

Consumer protection applies to contracts between a consumer and a trader. According to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV), for example, a natural person who continuously rents out one holiday cottage is not regarded as a trader, and consumer advice does not handle cottage bookings between private individuals. In a dispute, what matters most is therefore what has been agreed.

According to KKV, accommodation services have no statutory right of cancellation, so cancellation is also decided on the basis of the terms. When you rent through an intermediary or platform, their terms apply. Making a booking, peak seasons and the taxation of rental income are covered more extensively in our guide Renting out a cottage for tenants and owners. This guide focuses on the contract itself.

At least these matters in the agreement

A good contract is short, but it answers the questions that typically lead to disputes:

Parties and subject: names, contact details, the cottage address and what the rental includes, for example sauna, boat or linen
Rental period: arrival and departure dates with times
Number of people and pets: how many people may stay overnight and whether pets are allowed
Price and payment: rent, advance payment, payment dates and any deposit and its return
Cancellation: how long the renter can cancel and at what price, and what happens if the owner has to cancel
Cleaning and waste: does the tenant clean or is cleaning included in the price
Damage: duty to notify and liability for compensation
Keys: handover and return, and compensation for a lost key
Rules: smoking, making fires, waterways and using a boat, and quiet hours

Template: cottage rental agreement

The contract template below is a fictional example. Fill in the parts in square brackets and delete the terms that do not apply to your property. Draw up the contract in two copies, or send it by email and ask for written confirmation.

Template – copy and edit

COTTAGE RENTAL AGREEMENT (short-term holiday rental)

1. Landlord: Maija Meikäläinen, [address], [phone], [email]

2. Tenant: Matti Meikäläinen, [address], [phone], [email]

3. Property: [name or description of the cottage], [address]. The rent includes: [for example sauna, boat, firewood, bed linen].

4. Rental period: arrival [date] at [time], departure [date] at [time].

5. Number of people: up to [number] people. Pets: [allowed / not allowed].

6. Rent: [amount] euros. Advance payment of [amount] euros to be paid by [date] to account [IBAN], final balance by [date].

7. Deposit: [amount] euros, refunded within [period] of departure if the cottage and keys are handed over in the agreed condition.

8. Cancellation: the tenant may cancel no later than [date or number of days before arrival], in which case [share] will be refunded. For later cancellations [condition]. If the landlord cancels, all amounts paid will be refunded.

9. Cleaning: [the tenant cleans before departure / final cleaning is included in the price / final cleaning [amount] euros]. Waste is taken to [place].

10. Damage: the tenant must notify the landlord of any damage and defects immediately and is liable for damage they cause.

11. Keys: [number] keys are handed over [method and place] and returned [method]. For a lost key, [amount or the actual cost of changing the lock] is charged.

12. Rules: [smoking, open fires, use of the boat, quiet hours from [time]].

Date and signatures: [place and date] [landlord] [tenant]

Checks on arrival and departure day

Photograph the cottage and its equipment on arrival and departure. If something is broken on arrival, the tenant should report it in writing immediately, for example by text message. For the owner, a checklist makes returning the deposit easier when the condition has been documented in both directions. The paid Cottage opening and closing checklist from Tutkat.fi also works as a basis for rental changeovers.

A tenant should make sure that the cottage and the owner are genuine. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) advises checking the property on a map service, searching for the photos with a reverse image search and, where possible, paying by credit card. Company details can be checked in the YTJ service.

Taxation in brief for the owner

According to the Finnish Tax Administration, income from short-term and occasional rental is also taxable and must be reported even if no tax is left to pay after costs. Direct costs of finding a tenant, such as advertising and agency fees, can be deducted in full. General costs are deducted only for the share of the rental period if you also use the cottage yourself.

Rental income can be declared through a tax card or an advance tax application, in which case tax accrues evenly through the year. Keep agreements and payment receipts, as they show rental periods and income for your tax return.

Frequently asked questions

Does a cottage renter have a 14-day right of cancellation?

No. According to the FCCA, accommodation services have no statutory right of cancellation, so cancellation is decided according to the agreed terms.

Does consumer advice help if I have a dispute with a cottage owner?

Not if the landlord is a private individual. According to the FCCA, consumer advice does not handle cottage bookings between private individuals.

Do you have to pay tax on occasional cottage rental?

According to the Finnish Tax Administration, income from occasional rental is also taxable and must be reported. Costs are deducted for the share of the rental period.

Cottage Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Cottage Radar →

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.

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