Terms and conditions
Terms and Conditions of Use
1. The student unions of the University of Turku (TYY), Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS) and Novia University of Applied Sciences (Novium) as well as the Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) run the Starting Package Storage in order to help international exchange students get started in Finland. The Starting Package Storage complies with the Terms and Conditions of Use established by the student unions and TUAS, and the conditions may be subject to change at their discretion.
2. Starting Packages can be borrowed only by exchange student members of the student unions or by exchange students of TUAS and Novia. When renting a Starting Package, you must present proof of your student union membership or proof of enrolment at TUAS or Novia, as well as present a receipt of paid Starting Package rental and deposit fees. The Starting Package is personal and neither the package nor any of its contents may be passed on to any other person.
3. Please inspect the Starting Package and all its contents as soon as possible after receiving it. If any items are missing, damaged, or stained, you must inform the Starting Package Storage without delay.
When the package is returned, its condition will be inspected. Any missing or damaged items that were not reported after collection may result in deductions from your deposit.
For students arriving in July or August 2026, the deadline for reporting any issues with the package and providing proof of student union membership is Friday, 11 September 2026.
4. The Starting Package may be borrowed for a maximum time of twelve (12) months. If you exceed the maximum time, a penalty fee of 15,00€ will be deducted from your deposit. If your Starting Package has not been returned to the Starting Package Storage within fifteen (15) months of borrowing the package, you will lose the entire deposit.
5. The rent for the Starting Package is 35,00€. In order to receive a Starting Package, you will also pay a deposit fee of 45,00€. The deposit fee is refundable upon return of the complete and clean package that is in the same condition as when rented. Students with an EU/EEA bank account will receive the deposit refund as a bank transfer to the bank account stated in the contract. Other students will receive the deposit refund in cash upon returning the package. Refunds must be claimed within three months of the return of the Starting Package; refunds not claimed within three months will be forfeited.
6. Pillow and blanket must be washed right before returning the Starting Package. In addition, all the items of the Starting Package must be clean and dry upon return. Each missing, damaged or dirty item in your Starting Package results in a penalty fee which is deducted from your deposit, in accordance with the penalty fee list below. You may alternatively replace a damaged or missing item with another similar, intact item. Items such as pub glasses or dishes from the student cafeterias will not be accepted as a replacement.
PENALTY FEES
pillow 20€
blanket 25€
curtains 15€
cooking pot 15€
cooking pot cover 7€
package box 15€
sharp knife 5€
plate, soup bowl, cooking spoon or spatula 3€ per item
glass, mug, can opener 2€
knife, fork, spoon 1€ per item
dirty kitchen utensils or package box 5€ per item
Please note that pillows, blankets, or curtains that are returned wet or dirty, including anything that smells of cigarettes, will be charged the same as a missing item due to the high costs of having to get them professionally cleaned.
Although many of the things you receive in your Starting Package are second hand, please treat them well!
This allows us to recycle them and to pass them on to next students.
For more information, please visit our website www.tyy.fi/starting-package-storage. If you do not find an answer to your question, you may email us at startingpackage@utu.fi.