Rentees «move in» behind back of landlord

Photo: Urmas Luik

In the name of Tallinner-benefits, many register as residents – while real residence remains a secret.

Having lived mere three days in rented flat at Nõmme, youth from Kohila moved out. Heading straight to city district government, rental contract in hand, they promptly registered as residents of Tallinn. Never bothering to contact landlord.

«If that’s how simple it is, then I wonder why Tallinn residency hasn’t climbed to a million, already. Who would say no to free bus rides and other benefits here...,» said Aivi Roasto, owner of an apartment in Nõmme, an employee at a lawyer’s office. The lady dug into the curious phenomenon after discovering local elections polling cards in her mailbox – sent to 18 year olds who used to live there, quite a while ago.

Tellingly, the youth had asked her before moving in if they could get registered there. The owner was adamant: no, never. Three days passed and the fresh rentees announced, by SMS, of their intent to leave. Why not. The contract was terminated. And now, Ms Roasto happens upon the elector’s cards for young people she briefly met in the month of May. «I was wondering: how come these are sent here? How can they still be living in my apartment?» says the lady.

Calling up the electoral district, she was referred to population register. The officials thereof confirmed: yes, these people verily dwell in your apartment. She was advised to have recourse to Nõmme city district government, where she was told that in order to cancel people’s registration she was to appear there, physically. That seemed, weird: if one can one get registered without the owner, how come the reverse is not possible? She was told: this is not possible; we have to see you and be convinced that you really exist. «What an absurdity!» thinks Ms Roasto.

While physically present at Nõmme government, Ms Roasto kept expecting the official to admit having sent numerous notices – that, maybe, these were lost on the way. Not so. «That’s the way things are done, I was told. We are not notifying owners as we have no time for that, as those registering are too numerous, they said,» recalls Ms Roasto. The city official had then promised to cancel the registration within a month and a half. 

«Why so long?» inquired Ms Roasto. ««We will send them a letter of notification. – To which address?! – Well, to this address of yours, of course. – But they aren’t there!» The official said they have had it happen that they are approached by rentees who have been notified that they are about to be deregistered, and announce that they do live there.»

Being quite upset, the lady muttered to herself – still overheard by officialdom present – that hopefully the youth will get immediately caught in a bus, with their Tallinn Card no longer valid after deregistration – supposedly losing the right for free public transportation.

«I was answered: but why? They will remain residents of Tallinn. How? Where?! They will remain residents of Tallinn and that’s the way it will be. Without a definite residence,» wondered Ms Roasto.

Ms Roasto was upset that the official considered the situation a standard procedure. «Sure I would have nothing against young people coming to Tallinn, from the countryside, and get registered; but with these people I would certainly not said yes. I’m disturbed by the absurdity of the situation – wouldn’t it be nice to notify the owner,» said the lady.

According to interior ministry press secretary Mihkel Loide, in such cases owners may apply for local governments to alter residence information of rentees. «In such cases, owner must not ask for consent by rentee; and, should the application by owner be granted, the population register will carry former rentee’s residence data by town of commune, in Tallinn by city district [with no address specified],» explained Mr Loide. He added that justified claims by owners may also be filled in at state portal eesti.ee, using the population register e-service. 

Everybody is expected to see to it that their population register data be correct; registering residence being mandatory. While, as a rule, residence data is to be registered to the very address, the requirements are looser prior to and during elections.

«An exception will be submitting residence notifications during run-up to elections, from the advance polls to election day by citizens with the right to vote, whose residence address has not been entered into population register and who are not able to supply copies of documents proving residence nor a permit by owner of residence. In such cases, the residence address will be limited, in population register, by city, commune, city district or rural municipality district,» explained Mr Loide.

Nursing home residents remain in register according to former residence

As social welfare institutions are not considered residents, and no-one is registered as residents thereof, people remain in population register according to local governments of their former homes; thus, they appear in polling lists according to where they used to live formerly.

Therefore, polling cards of residents of nursing homes or boarding houses will be sent to their former addresses, and they will be able to elect candidates running at their former area of residence. «As people move out, no-one’s place in register will be «emptied out», so to say; residence remains at least by commune, town, or city district; according to that, people are also entered into polling lists,» explained Mihkel Loide, interior ministry press secretary. 

According to Priit Vinkel, head of National Electoral Committee secretariat, inhabitants of social welfare institutions will be able to vote on location. For that, an application is to be filed to the electoral committee of the commune or town of the nursing home in question, either personally or with help by relative of caregiver, by 2 pm on October 16^th, latest. They will be able to vote from October 14^th to 16^th. Together with ballot boxes, lists with candidates from all local governments will be brought to the institutions.

Mr Vinkel added that should the nursing home be located in the town or commune of the person’s residence according to register, they can also vote on election day – on October 20^th – upon prior notification. The same goes for people desiring to elect in their homes in an ordinary manner.

According to Mr Vinkel, National Electoral Committee has this year sent circulars to hospitals, social departments and nursing homes – to people and institutions who may come in contact with those unable to elect by themselves, needing assistance and help.