Founded in 1967, Lomarengas is more relevant than ever, with its business model rooted in the modern sharing economy and driven by a strong commitment to sustainability.
“You really don’t need to own a cottage to enjoy the wonders of cottage life,” assures Eva Kohonen, CEO of Lomarengas.
“Through Lomarengas, there are over 4,000 cozy rental cottages and holiday homes across Finland, from the southern coast to Lapland.”
“We successfully blend the traditional Finnish cottage experience with modern possibilities, as our business model is based on digitalized sharing. Both the cottage owner and renter connect through our website. This approach is safe and responsible for both parties.”
A summer cottage is a valuable and cherished property, and renting it to someone else—often a complete stranger—requires a great deal of trust.
“In a business built on trust, both sides need to be assured that promises will be kept without risk,” Kohonen explains.
For the renter, trust begins with the assurance that the property matches its description.
“Instead of idealized images, we aim to give an honest and accurate portrayal of each holiday home on our site. We also make sure the practical details are in order: the keys are easy to find, the cottage is clean, and all safety matters have been addressed. When everything is set in advance, the renter can focus fully on enjoying their vacation,” says Kohonen.
Many cottage owners may hesitate to rent out their beloved holiday home to outsiders, but Lomarengas makes the process as smooth as possible for the owner.
“We start by visiting the property with the owner. We take photographs and create a detailed listing for our site. Lomarengas handles the marketing, payments, and all negotiations with renters, so the owner can rest assured that the entire process is worry-free.”
Today’s customers expect environmental responsibility. The instruction manuals found in holiday homes include information on topics like waste recycling.
However, environmental responsibility is just one part of the equation.
“Tax regulations for rental services can sometimes be a gray area, but Lomarengas operates transparently, and we pay our taxes in Finland. This is part of our social responsibility, which we don’t compromise on.”
According to Kohonen, the shift toward responsibility is real.
“We have decades of statistics on customer expectations and behavior, and in the last five years, there’s been a significant change in attitude. Instead of—or in addition to—beaches in sunny destinations, people now value nature and local travel. At Lomarengas, we encourage cottage owners to open the doors of their paradise to others, safely.”
Text: Kaisa Mäntyranta
