Avara
Avara is a Finnish residential real estate investment and asset management firm operating approximately 6,944 rental apartments (~€1.2B AUM) across Finnish growth centres, serving roughly 8,435 tenants and institutional investors via managed funds. Its OmaAvara platform enables digital-first, flexible rental housing, with about 71% of the portfolio in state-subsidised ARA affordable units.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Avara does
Avara is a Finnish residential real estate investment and asset management company headquartered in Helsinki that operates approximately 6,944 rental apartments across 15+ Finnish growth centres (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Lahti and others), managing roughly €1.2 billion in residential real estate assets. Approximately 71% of its portfolio consists of ARA-subsidised (state-affordable) apartments, with about 76% of new construction allocated to affordable housing, addressing Finland's chronic shortage of quality rental supply in growth centres. The company serves two distinct customer bases: (1) end tenants — approximately 8,435 individuals and households as of end-2025, including students, families, professionals, and retirees — and (2) institutional investors through managed funds including Avara Residential Fund I and Avara Residential Fund II Ky.
The company's core technology is the proprietary OmaAvara digital tenant platform, which enables end-to-end self-service covering apartment search, rental applications (with or without Finnish e-identification), digital lease signing, real-time water consumption tracking via partner ClimaPri's smart metering, parking space rental, and sauna booking. Approximately 20% water consumption reduction has been observed in pilot properties transitioned to consumption-based billing, and 83% of residents report greater attention to water usage. Avara also operates the "Vuokraa heti" instant rental service with response times reportedly as fast as 20 minutes, and from January 2025 eliminated security deposits (€0) for new contracts with clean credit history.
Avara's revenue model is structurally a monthly recurring rental subscription business, with subscription tiers split between ARA-affordable and market-rate units, supplemented by ancillary income from parking and selected utility billing. Since 2024 the company has been approximately 90% management-owned (full partner ownership), executing a 2022 portfolio divestment of 2,200 apartments to Orange Capital Partners and an April 2026 refinancing of Avara Residential Fund II worth approximately €110 million (with ~80% qualifying as green financing). The company is recognized for sustainability leadership (five BREEAM Excellent certifications, Net Zero Carbon Buildings commitment covering 4,000+ homes, 64.8% reduction in property CO2 emissions since 2016) and workplace culture (eNPS of 87, ranked seventh among Finland's Best Workplaces in 2025 and certified again in 2026).
Avara firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Avara
- Legal name
- Avara Oy
- Website
- https://avara.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Avara is a Finnish residential real estate investment and asset management firm operating approximately 6,944 rental apartments (~€1.2B AUM) across Finnish growth centres, serving roughly 8,435 tenants and institutional investors via managed funds. Its OmaAvara platform enables digital-first, flexible rental housing, with about 71% of the portfolio in state-subsidised ARA affordable units.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Avara industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Rental Housing & Real Estate Asset Management
- NAICS
- Residential Property Managers (531311), Lessors of Real Estate (5311), Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (53)
- SIC
- Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Investors, Nec (6799)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Real Estate Investment Advisory (Acquisitions/Dispositions, Capital Allocation) (BPAJANAA), Property Management Advisory & Leasing Administration (FSAEAJAN)
Keywords
Where Avara is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Avara business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rental Income: Avara generates revenue primarily through monthly rental payments from approximately 6,944 apartments. Rent varies by apartment size, location, and whether the unit is ARA-subsidized (affordable) or market-rate. Additional revenue streams include parking space rentals, and potentially other ancillary services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | ARA Affordable Rental Apartments |
| Subscription | Monthly | Market-Rate Rental Apartments |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Avara product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Avara develops, owns, and manages a portfolio of approximately 6,944 rental apartments across Finnish growth centers, including both state-subsidized ARA affordable housing (approximately 71% of the portfolio) and market-rate units. The company operates the proprietary OmaAvara digital tenant platform that enables end-to-end apartment search, digital lease signing, real-time water consumption tracking, and parking space rentals. In parallel, Avara provides institutional residential real estate investment and asset management services through its funds (Avara Residential Fund I and II), managing approximately EUR 1.2 billion in residential real estate assets.
Product overview
Avara is Finland's leading residential real estate investment and asset management company operating approximately 6,944 rental apartments across multiple funds. The company offers a unified platform combining physical rental housing with digital tenant services through OmaAvara portal. The product portfolio includes non-subsidised rental apartments and ARA (state-subsidised affordable housing) properties, supported by sustainability initiatives such as the Green Homes programme. Property management, real estate investment, and asset management services are provided through multiple funds including Avara Residential Fund II Ky. The company serves both institutional investors and residential tenants through integrated property and digital services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OmaAvara Digital Tenant Platform Digital tenant portal enabling apartment search, rental applications (with or without Finnish electronic identification), digital lease signing, real-time water consumption tracking, parking space rental, sauna booking, and resident communications for Avara tenants.
- Rental Apartments (Vuokra-asunnot) Residential rental housing portfolio across Finland including both state-subsidized ARA affordable apartments and non-subsidized market-rate apartments, with monthly rent paid by tenants and including free 50 Mbps internet, sauna, and laundry facilities.
- Residential Real Estate Investment Management (Kiinteistösijoittaminen) Residential real estate investment management services provided to institutional investors through Avara Residential Fund I and Avara Residential Fund II Ky, aggregating portfolios exceeding EUR 1.2 billion in residential real estate assets.
- Residential Asset Management (Kiinteistövarallisuuden johtaminen) Asset management services for residential real estate portfolios including strategic planning, portfolio optimization, and performance monitoring, delivered alongside property management functions for Avara-managed funds and institutional partners.
- Property Management (Kiinteistöjohtaminen) Property management services covering maintenance, tenant services, facility operations, and ongoing property upkeep for Avara's rental housing portfolio.
- Veturitie Rental Development (135 units, Keski-Pasila, Helsinki) Newly completed 135-unit rental apartment development in Keski-Pasila, Helsinki, with sustainability features including A energy efficiency class, green roof, vertical green wall, and eco-flow water fixtures. Designed for Avara's rental portfolio under residential real estate investment management.
- Tulistimenkatu Rental Development (100 units, Keski-Pasila, Helsinki) Newly completed 100-unit rental apartment project in Keski-Pasila, Helsinki split across two buildings (44 ARA-subsidized affordable apartments and 56 market-rate units) with A-class energy efficiency, geothermal heating, and shared sustainable amenities.
- Consumption-Based Water Billing Service Smart metering water billing service that lets Avara tenants monitor real-time water consumption via the OmaAvara platform and pay based on actual usage rather than flat-rate allocation, reducing consumption by approximately 20% in pilot properties.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20% water consumption reduction in pilot properties after switching to consumption-based water billing
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Avara
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Avara technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Avara partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Castrén & Snellman Attorneys LtdminorCastrén & Snellman served as Avara's legal advisor for the approximately €110 million refinancing of Avara Residential Fund II in April 2026.
- Alva Interiors (Suvi Pokela)minorAlva Interiors, founded by interior designer Suvi Pokela, designed interior concepts for Avara's 135-unit Veturitie development in Keski-Pasila, completed in fall 2025. Design themes emphasize warmth, timelessness, and sustainability with two distinct colour schemes.
- Lilla Creations (Hanna Tuominen)minorInterior designer Hanna Tuominen of Lilla Creations designed interior themes for Avara's 100-unit Tulistimenkatu development (Tulistimenkatu 4 and 6), completed June 2025. Themes include two distinct interior concepts focusing on timelessness, durability, and tenant wellbeing.
- AitoenergiacoreAvara buys geothermal heat as a service from Aitoenergia, contributing to cost-efficiency and low-carbon housing. The cooperation was deepened in 2024. Aitoenergia provides geothermal energy solutions that reduce both costs and environmental impact of Avara's properties.
- Jatke Uusimaa OycoreJatke Uusimaa Oy served as the general contractor for Avara's 100-unit Tulistimenkatu development in Keski-Pasila, Helsinki (completed June 2025). The partnership produced two buildings with a combined 100 rental apartments. Jatke was described as a strategically important project partner with excellent collaboration resulting in high-quality outcomes.
- Mieli ryminorAvara organized the 'Avara Stair Challenge' charity initiative, raising €5,384 for Mieli ry (Finnish Mental Health Association) in 2024. Employees climbed stairs instead of using the elevator, with each climb contributing €2 to the charity pot.
- Senate PropertiescoreAvara and Senate Properties reached an agreement on the sale of plots in Central Pasila, enabling Avara to carry out new property development projects including the Veturitie (135 units) and Tulistimenkatu (100 units) developments.
- Green Homes ConsortiumcoreAvara Oy and six other professional real estate companies launched the Green Homes sustainability programme focused on rental housing, in cooperation with other industry partners. The initiative covers hundreds of Avara properties designated as Green Homes with specific sustainability criteria.
- World Green Building CouncilcoreAvara signed the World Green Building Council's Net Zero Carbon Buildings commitment, with more than 4,000 Avara homes included in the commitment. Avara also joined the #BuildingLife project, committing to work toward a carbon neutral built environment by 2035.
- Lehto AsunnotminorAvara and Lehto Asunnot signed a framework agreement for a housing portfolio including construction of 340 apartments in 5 cities around Finland.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Avara competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SATO: SATO is one of Finland's leading rental housing providers with a portfolio concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area and other growth centres, including a mix of affordable and market-rate apartments. Its Finland-only urban rental focus, ARA exposure, and similar customer base make it a direct comparable to Avara's operating model.
- Kojamo (Lumo): Kojamo is Finland's largest listed residential rental company, operating the Lumo brand with tens of thousands of apartments across Finnish growth centres. It is the closest direct peer to Avara in terms of geography, product (urban rental apartments, mix of subsidised and market-rate), and institutional fund-style ownership, making it the natural benchmark for scale and operating efficiency.
Regional players
- Heimstaden: Heimstaden is one of the largest residential real estate companies in the Nordics and Europe, with significant Swedish, Danish, German, and other portfolios. Comparable to Avara through its residential focus, institutional scale, and growth-centre strategy, though Heimstaden operates across multiple geographies rather than Finland alone.
- Wallenstam: Wallenstam is a Swedish residential and commercial property company focused on Stockholm and Gothenburg, with a substantial rental apartment portfolio. Comparable to Avara through its Nordic residential rental focus, sustainability leadership, and in-house property management, though Wallenstam primarily serves the Swedish market.
- Stena Fastigheter: Stena Fastigheter is one of Sweden's largest private residential landlords, with a portfolio concentrated in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. It is comparable to Avara through its privately held Nordic residential rental model, in-house management, and focus on urban growth centres.
- Akelius Residential Property: Akelius owns and manages residential properties across Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Canada, with a strong focus on urban rental housing and operational efficiency. It is comparable to Avara through its residential concentration, scale-driven operating model, and focus on Northern European growth cities.
Broad incumbents
- Bonava: Bonava is a leading Nordic residential developer building homes in Sweden, Germany, Finland, the Baltics, and other markets. It is comparable to Avara through its Nordic residential focus and active development pipeline — particularly Avara's 235-unit construction pipeline — rather than its directly operated rental model.
- Vonovia: Vonovia is Europe's largest residential real estate company, managing and owning hundreds of thousands of apartments across Germany, Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands. It shares Avara's residential rental DNA, regulated housing exposure, and digital property-management push, and represents the broad incumbent benchmark for the residential rental business model.
Others
- Kungsleden: Kungsleden is a Swedish listed real estate company investing in and managing commercial and residential properties across Sweden. Comparable to Avara at the margin through its Nordic property investment focus, sustainability-linked financing, and fund-style capital allocation, though Kungsleden's mix leans toward offices and logistics.
- Castellum: Castellum is one of Sweden's largest listed real estate companies with a portfolio across offices, logistics, retail, and residential. While primarily commercial, its Nordic property scale and ESG/sustainability positioning provide a comparable benchmark for the broader fund-management and asset-management side of Avara's business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Avara social profiles
Digital presenceAvara compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Avara financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Avara leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Avara funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Avara M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Avara
What does Avara do?
Avara develops, owns, and manages a portfolio of approximately 6,944 rental apartments across Finnish growth centers, including both state-subsidized ARA affordable housing (approximately 71% of the portfolio) and market-rate units. The company operates the proprietary OmaAvara digital tenant platform that enables end-to-end apartment search, digital lease signing, real-time water consumption tracking, and parking space rentals. In parallel, Avara provides institutional residential real estate investment and asset management services through its funds (Avara Residential Fund I and II), managing approximately EUR 1.2 billion in residential real estate assets.
Is Avara a public or private company?
Avara is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Avara founded?
Avara was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Avara based?
Avara is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Avara make money?
One revenue line is on record: rental Income.
Who are Avara's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SATO and Kojamo (Lumo). Regional players are Heimstaden, Wallenstam, Stena Fastigheter and Akelius Residential Property. Broad incumbents are Bonava and Vonovia. Others are Kungsleden and Castellum.
Does Avara have an API?
No public API is recorded for Avara.
What industry is Avara in?
Avara's product category is Residential Rental Housing & Real Estate Asset Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAFAA, Multifamily Apartment Property Management, with a secondary code of BPAJANAA, Real Estate Investment Advisory (Acquisitions/Dispositions, Capital Allocation). Its NAICS code is 531311 and its SIC code is 6513.