Clear instructions on the division of responsibilities in housing companies are given in the Guide to the Responsibility Allocation Table for Housing Companies (Kiinteistöalan Kustannus Oy), prepared by the Finnish Real Estate Federation and the Uusimaa Real Estate Association. The responsibility allocation table for building societies shows the responsibilities of the shareholder and the building society, broken down by structure, system and equipment. The division of responsibilities in the event of various problems is dealt with in the Responsibility TablePlus guide (Kiinteistöalan Kustannus Oy). The division of maintenance responsibilities and the handling of various problems in housing companies is based on the Housing Company Act.
The liability table covers the costs of normal living and wear and tear, so the law does not invalidate liability for damages. As a general rule, the liability of the tenant is limited to the internal parts of the dwelling, excluding load-bearing structures and insulation. The outside is the responsibility of the housing company. The responsibility tables also contain practical instructions to the shareholders on how to carry out certain maintenance operations in the apartment.
Always notify in advance of renovations
The building society and the shareholder are obliged by law to give prior notice of renovations. The building society must notify any renovation or maintenance work that affects the use of the apartment.
The shareholder is obliged to give prior notice if the renovation will affect other premises or apartments in the building. The housing company also has the right to check that the renovation is carried out properly. The housing company may require a supervisor to supervise the renovation work carried out by the shareholder.
Responsibilities of the shareholder and the housing company according to the table of responsibilities of housing companies:
Structures
As regards structures, the roof, the upper, lower and intermediate floors, external and internal walls, pillars, beams, and any dents or cracks in structures are the responsibility of the building society. The maintenance of floor coverings (e.g. parquet) is the responsibility of the shareholder.
Balconies
The materials used to cover the interior surfaces of the balcony are the responsibility of the shareholder. The other parts of the balcony, i.e. the façade surfaces, the waterproofing of the balcony floor and the structures supporting the balcony, are the responsibility of the company.
Doors
The outer door of the apartment and the outer door of the balcony and their locks, post box, nameplate, door stop, doorbell and automatic locking door are all the responsibility of the company. The intermediate doors of the apartment, the inner balcony door, the security lock on the external door, the door lock and the door eye installed by the shareholder are the responsibility of the shareholder.
Windows
The outer frame and frames of the windows, as well as the outer glass, are the responsibility of the housing company. The shareholder is responsible for the inner and intermediate frames, the inner glass, the ventilation flap and the sash inside the window. The maintenance of the balcony door and window frames and the maintenance of the blinds are also the responsibility of the shareholder.
Fixed furniture and equipment
All fixed furniture and equipment such as cupboards, closets, window sills, window curtain rails, sauna stoves, fireplaces and ovens are the responsibility of the shareholder.
Water, sewerage and water heating equipment
In the bathroom, the tenant is responsible for the washbasin, shower, bath, hand shower hose and washing machine hose. In addition, the connection of the washing machine is the responsibility of the tenant. Faucets, toilet seats and any drainage blockages are the responsibility of the company. The cleaning, repair and replacement of water locks and floor drains is currently the responsibility of the housing company.
Ventilation systems
The components of the ventilation systems are largely the responsibility of the company.
Electrotechnical systems
Household appliances, fixed lighting, sauna heater and central vacuum cleaner are the responsibility of the tenant. The company is responsible for the refrigerator, hot water heater, door buzzer, etc.
Other equipment and installations and systems
The company is responsible for the mailbox, the hand-held fire extinguishers outside the apartment and the waste bins. The company is also responsible for signage in the common areas, cold rooms and storage facilities. The company is also responsible for the telecommunications and aerial systems. The shareholder is responsible for the hand-held fire extinguishers inside the apartment and the smoke detector.
The building society and the shareholder are obliged by law to give prior notice of renovations. The building society must notify any renovation or maintenance work that affects the use of the apartment. The shareholder is obliged to give prior notice if the renovation will affect other premises or other apartments in the housing company. The housing company also has the right to check that the renovation is carried out properly. The housing company may require a supervisor to supervise the renovation work carried out by the shareholder.
https://www.kiinkust.fi/tuote/taloyhtion-vastuunjakotaulukko
https://www.kiinkust.fi/tuote/taloyhtion-vastuunjakotaulukko-plus
https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2009/20091599#O2
