Whether and what rights the registered place of residence gives?

There is a widespread belief that registration of a residence gives rights to an apartment or house registered as a residence.

However, this is not the case, and simply registering as a residence does not give the right to use the dwelling. In order to use the dwelling, a tenancy agreement must be concluded with the owner and the owner of the property has the right to decide who is registered to live in the apartment or house he owns.

The registration of the place of residence thus has no effect on the property and it is necessary to consult a notary to acquire the property. A property owner is a person who, as the owner, is entered in the land register and only the owner of the property has extensive rights over the property.

However, the registration of a place of residence in the population register has significance for the electoral region, in the distribution of taxes between the state and the local government, and gives the local government the right to receive social services from the city or rural municipality of the registered place of residence. For example, benefits such as a ranch allowance or a funeral allowance and a pensioner living alone are paid on the basis of a registered place of residence, and, for example, residents of Tallinn are entitled to free public transport in the city.

In addition, the correctness of the registered place of residence is also important for the state to enable the planning of social services and infrastructure.

Although registration of residence does not confer rights in private relationships, such as the relationship between a landlord and a tenant, registration gives different rights in relation to the state and local governments.