Üürikorteri

üürikorteri

Üürikorteri (plural üürikortered) is the Estonian term for a sublet or lease transfer, allowing a tenant (üürikasutaja) to sublease a rented property to another party (sõltuväärtaja) while maintaining the original lease agreement. It is regulated primarily by the Estonian Rent Act (Riiklik Rentikäsk). According to the Act, a tenant may sublease the property only with the written consent of the landlord and provided that the subtenant’s occupation does not exceed the original lease’s reservation of the premises. The sublease agreement must be in writing and shall contain the same terms as the original lease, except that the subtenant is not liable for the entire amount of the rent; the original tenant remains liable to the landlord for full payment.

Practical application often revolves around short‑term arrangements, such as students or business travelers using winter housing schemes. In such cases, subtenants must have their own initial deposit and demonstrate a stable source of income. Subleasings that neglect to obtain landlord notification may lead to termination of the original lease and forfeiture of the deposit.

Legally, the subtenant enjoys the same protection as a direct tenant: right to privacy, prohibition of unjust eviction, and the right to maintenance of the premises. However, the original tenant retains ultimate responsibility for tenancy breaches, including damage or breach of quiet enjoyment. Charges for utilities pass through the subtenant to the original tenant as specified in the lease.

Historically, subletting in Estonia can be traced to the Soviet era when collective housing required intermediate leasing arrangements. Since the 2000s, the trend has shifted towards regulated short‑term rentals that mirror the broader European vacation‑home market. The Rent Act also includes provisions for landlords to charge a 'sublease fee' to cover administrative costs. Understanding both the legal framework and market practices ensures that all parties safeguard their rights and obligations in üürikorteri agreements.