A cottage for Christmas and New Year: booking, cancellation and winter condition

Book in good time and check the terms

The school Christmas holiday begins in many large cities on 21–23.12.2026 and most often ends on 6.1.2027, in Tampere on 10.1.2027. The weeks of Christmas and New Year are therefore the most sought-after cottage periods of the winter. When you find a suitable property, read the booking terms before paying and save the booking confirmation, the property description and the terms for yourself.

Check the dates, number of people and price in the confirmation immediately. If anything is wrong, say so right away.

Consumer rights when booking accommodation

According to the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV), accommodation services have no statutory right of cancellation. The 14-day right of withdrawal familiar from online shopping does not apply to a cottage or hotel booked for a specific period. A booking can therefore be cancelled free of charge only if the booking and cancellation terms allow it.

If the cottage does not match what was agreed or is otherwise deficient, according to the KKV you are entitled to compensation. Report the deficiencies to the landlord immediately and, if necessary, submit a written complaint. The landlord must remedy the deficiencies promptly. If this is not possible, a comparable alternative cottage, a price reduction or, in the case of a significant defect, cancellation of the contract may come into question. Damages may be available in some situations, but according to the KKV, no compensation is paid for distress or annoyance.

The booking platform is responsible for the functioning and care of its system as an intermediary, but the accommodation is usually provided by someone else. So check who you are making the contract with. If the cottage's landlord is not a business operator, the consumer authorities cannot help with disputes. With a company based in another EU country, help is available from the European Consumer Centre.

Cancellation terms and payment

Cancellation terms vary by property, and for bookings at a promotional price cancellation may be ruled out altogether. According to the FCCA, applying the normal terms in an exceptional situation, such as sudden illness, can lead to an unreasonable outcome, but the matter is assessed case by case. Also check whether your travel or home insurance covers the cancellation.

KKV recommends paying by credit card where possible, because if the service provider breaches the contract, you can also claim a refund from the credit card company. You can check a company's details in the Business Information System.

Until what date is cancellation free of charge?
How much is charged for a late cancellation?
Is the advance payment refunded if the landlord cancels?
Can the booking be moved to another date?

Winter roads and ploughing

Many cottages are on private roads. The upkeep of a private road, including ploughing and gritting, is handled jointly by the road co-owners, often through a road committee. Some private roads are maintained by the municipality under an agreement. The level and timing of ploughing vary, so ask the landlord whether the road and the driveway to the yard are ploughed before you arrive and whom to call if the road is blocked.

Before departure you can check the weather and traffic situation in Fintraffic's Traffic Situation service, which shows, among other things, road weather cameras. Bring a shovel, warm clothing and a charged phone, and ask whether the yard lighting is enough if you arrive in the dark.

Fireplaces, sauna and carbon monoxide

According to the rescue sector's guide to fire safety in detached houses, a smoke alarm is mandatory in a leisure home too, and there must be at least one alarm for every started 60 square metres of each floor. According to Tukes, responsibility for acquiring and maintaining smoke alarms passed from the resident to the building owner at the start of 2026. Still test the alarm with the test button when you arrive.

Tukes recommends a carbon monoxide alarm for spaces with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a fireplace or wood stove. Carbon monoxide is formed in incomplete combustion, for example when the fireplace damper is closed too early. Close the damper only when the embers have completely died out.

According to the rescue sector's guide, drying clothes and other combustible material above and near the sauna stove is prohibited. Ash is stored in a metal container with a lid, and a fireplace and flue that have been unused for three years must be swept before use. Ask the landlord when the fireplace was last swept, and follow the cottage's own heating instructions.

Checklist for arrival day

Go through these as soon as you arrive at the cottage:

testing the smoke alarm and any carbon monoxide alarm
location of the fire extinguisher or fire blanket
heating, sauna and damper operating instructions
how the water and electricity work, and the location of the main switch
the landlord's phone number and the cottage address for emergency calls

Find a cottage with the Cottage Radar

In Cottage Radar you can compare cottages and their terms in different areas. When you ask about free dates at Christmas or New Year, also ask about the cancellation terms, road ploughing and fireplace instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a cottage booking be cancelled within 14 days?

Not usually. According to the FCCA, accommodation services have no statutory right of cancellation, so cancellation is determined by the booking and cancellation terms.

What do I do if the cottage does not respond to my enquiry?

Report defects to the landlord immediately and, if necessary, make a written complaint. If you cannot reach an agreement, consumer advisory services give free advice when the landlord is a company.

Does a rental cottage need to have a smoke alarm?

Yes. A smoke alarm is mandatory in a holiday home too, and from the start of 2026 the responsibility for acquiring and maintaining it lies with the building's owner.

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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.