You can search online for housing and then contact the agent or landlord to make a time to view. Sometimes an open viewing time will be included in the advertisement.
Finnish homes are advertised by the number of rooms, which includes living rooms and bedrooms. For example, a 2 room home is likely to mean a living room + one bedroom. This is written as 2h, where h stands for huoneet (rooms).
Kylpyhuone (bathroom) is shown as kph and keittiö (kitchen) is shown as k. Parveke (balcony) is shown as p.
Therefore, an apartment advertised as 2h + k, kph, p has one living room, one bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom and balcony.
You will generally find a stove and fridge freezer in place. Many apartment buildings come with a storage room, a shared space to store bicycles and maybe a room to store strollers and prams.
Bath tubs are rare but some apartments include their own sauna, or their may be a communal one in the building.
You will most likely be asked to pay a deposit when you rent although the amount can vary. Water is usually charged per person on top of rent, as well as internet and electricity.
Helpful search terms:
Helsinki is in the area of Finland called Uusimaa.
Furnished – kalustettu
Vuokra – rent
Vuokra/kk – rent per month
Autopaikka – parking space
Oma sauna – own sauna
Pesukone – washing machine
Jääkaappi – refrigerator
Vuokrakohteet – rental properties
For a full list of words, visit Expat Finland or The Dictionary for Rental Property Ads
Useful sites for accommodation searches include: Vuokraovi Oikotie Jokakoti Sato
Facebook group: Vuokra-assunot Helsinki
You can also sign up for early notification of places for rent at Vuokraturva
A Guide to Finland 