> Knowledge base for housing companies > Lähde: https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/ > Koko sivusto koneluettavana: https://huoneistokierros.fi/llms-full.txt Knowledge base # Know-how for everyday housing company life Guides for boards, property managers and shareholders: maintenance, division of responsibilities, repair backlog and the big and small questions of living in a housing company. 65 articles. Search articles - ![Woman reading papers by the window](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/nainen-lukee.DBdhDGzC_7rX5.jpg) 4 October 2026 · 9 min read ## Board member responsibilities and liability for damages What a housing company board member answers for under the law, when that becomes personal liability for damages and how to reduce the risk. - ![Christmas tree glowing in the window of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/ikkuna-joulukuusi.CCNTNGwS_2rvnQ8.jpg) 3 October 2026 · 6 min read ## Power cuts in a housing company: preparation and what to do A power cut can stop lifts, electric locks, water pumps and ventilation. How a housing company prepares, what residents do and what to check afterwards. - ![Warm living and dining room in the evening light](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/olohuone-iltavalo.DaEsdFRB_HVs3Y.jpg) 2 October 2026 · 6 min read ## Noise in a housing company: when does sound become a nuisance? Not every sound from next door is a nuisance. How to tell normal living, disruptive behaviour and technical noise apart, and how to deal with a noise problem. - ![Older couple reading documents together at home](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/seniorit-lomake.DCcl4zr5_1s2H1v.jpg) 1 October 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company documents: 10 every shareholder should know The articles of association, financial statements, maintenance needs report and minutes show what you own. See what to read in them and what you can request. - ![Water running from a brass tap in a bright kitchen](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/keittion-hana.Cls1lSL9_2mY14I.jpg) 29 September 2026 · 8 min read ## Division of responsibilities: who pays when something breaks? Who repairs a leaking pipe, a broken window or a bathroom? How maintenance responsibility is divided between company and shareholder from 1 October 2026. - ![Christmas tree glowing in the window of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/ikkuna-joulukuusi.CCNTNGwS_2rvnQ8.jpg) 25 September 2026 · 7 min read ## Responsibility for windows changed on 1 October 2026: who pays now? An amendment moved window maintenance to the housing company on 1 October 2026. See what the company and shareholders now cover and when the articles decide. - ![Couple hanging a picture in their new home among moving boxes](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/muutto-taulu.-LnboLLs_zMKSO.jpg) 23 September 2026 · 6 min read ## Renovations by a shareholder: what you can do and when to notify Shareholders may renovate, but many jobs must be notified first. What the law says on alteration work, supervision and upkeep from 1 October 2026. - ![Family having breakfast together in the kitchen](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/perhe-aamiainen.C5Wv4Pch_2bJ6pd.jpg) 22 September 2026 · 6 min read ## The general meeting: how shareholders prepare and have their say The general meeting decides on charges, renovations and the board. What is on the agenda, what to ask and how to have your say if you can't attend. - ![Old white double door and herringbone parquet](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/pariovi-asunto.6LiEzKvw_2b547W.jpg) 21 September 2026 · 7 min read ## 15 things to check in your home every year A small leak or a sticking window is easiest to fix early. Use this 15-point list to check your home once a year and know what to report. - ![Children running around a tree in the courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-lapset.BFiSA8j__1gFaU8.jpg) 20 September 2026 · 5 min read ## Housing company value: what you cannot see affects the price An apartment's value depends on the whole housing company: the building's condition, upcoming renovations, finances and information. How to assess it. - ![Green three-storey block of flats with a red tiled roof in summer evening light](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kerrostalo-vihrea.CTeHQKlu_X3qCL.jpg) 19 September 2026 · 7 min read ## Repair backlog in a housing company: what it is and how to spot it A repair backlog is not in the financial statements and is not the same as an upcoming renovation. How it builds up, how to spot it and what to ask. - ![Red front door of a stairwell under a canopy](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/rappu-punainen-ovi.CcN3FXAX_Z1NtgBG.jpg) 14 September 2026 · 7 min read ## The apartment round: what to check inside the apartments An apartment round shows the board the apartments it would otherwise never see. What to look at, what the law says and how to record what you find. - ![Bright attic room with a window facing the trees](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/ullakkohuone.BOwrnP6e_ptaHc.jpg) 13 September 2026 · 4 min read ## The housing company attic: what to check before winter From the attic you can see the condition of the roof and loft floor before a leak shows in the apartments. What to look out for and what may be stored there. - ![Spiral staircase and an arched window in a bright space](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-kaari.Em9X4YPF_Z1pxDTK.jpg) 12 September 2026 · 5 min read ## What the basement tells you about the building's condition The basement often reveals moisture, ventilation problems and pipe leaks before they show in the apartments. What to look for and who is responsible for it. - ![Snowy courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-talvi.DuGBVOJZ_Z2ljWMw.jpg) 10 September 2026 · 5 min read ## Housing company gutters: do they carry water away from the building? A blocked gutter or badly placed downpipe soaks the facade and plinth. How a housing company checks its gutters and rainwater drainage before winter. - ![Replacing an air vent filter](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/ilmanvaihto-suodatin.CpmrnVwE_1qNab5.jpg) 9 September 2026 · 7 min read ## Housing company ventilation: responsibilities, upkeep and advice Who is responsible for ventilation in a housing company, how to spot problems and how often to change filters? A practical guide for boards and residents. - ![Bathroom with a wooden vanity unit and a window](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kylpyhuone-puu.B63bpMPS_ZQMinH.jpg) 8 September 2026 · 9 min read ## Moisture problems in a housing company: signs, reporting, liability A moisture problem often starts with a small observation. Which signs to take seriously, how to report them and how responsibility for the damage is divided. - ![Bright stairwell with a red handrail](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-valoisa.DZcYQ7qD_Z2cPrpi.jpg) 7 September 2026 · 6 min read ## Fire safety in a housing company: what the law requires Smoke alarms, escape routes, emergency access roads and the rescue plan: what the Rescue Act requires of a housing company and how to check it in practice. - ![Bright dining area and a balcony door](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/parvekeovi-ruokailutila.CmxKtRSo_ZAE7Fo.jpg) 6 September 2026 · 7 min read ## Housing company windows: upkeep, warning signs and responsibility Draughts, misting and stiff fittings reveal a window's condition. What to check, what the symptoms mean and who is responsible from 1 October 2026. - ![Laundry drying in the autumn courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-pyykit.CxRPzYH8_Z1w97aG.jpg) 4 September 2026 · 6 min read ## Autumn maintenance: getting a housing company ready for winter In autumn a housing company gets ready for winter: gutters, heating, ventilation, outdoor lighting and the yard. A checklist and tips on recording findings. - ![Sunny room with an old wooden double door](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/aurinkohuone-ovi.C02wJgNx_1xHh3H.jpg) 31 August 2026 · 9 min read ## Hidden defects in a housing company: signs, checks and responsibility A hidden defect often gives small signs before damage occurs. Where to look for them, which warning signs to take seriously and how responsibility is divided. - ![Stairwell of an old block of flats with an arched window](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-ikkuna.DzcyfvRC_Z17XDBe.jpg) 30 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company records: what to keep and how to hand them over Which documents a housing company must keep by law, what to hand over when the property manager or maintenance company changes, and how to keep it findable. - ![Worried older couple going through bills at a laptop](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/seniorit-laskut.DSVYdGSq_Z1j7T7E.jpg) 29 August 2026 · 9 min read ## Unpaid maintenance charges: what if a neighbour doesn't pay? A neighbour's unpaid charges do not pass to you, but arrears can weaken the housing company's finances. How collection and taking over an apartment work now. - ![Couple going through bills and papers at the kitchen table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/pariskunta-paperit.C_YRl-G6_Pw4SE.jpg) 28 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Checking invoices: when the same fault is billed again and again A correctly billed invoice can still reveal a recurring fault. How checking a housing company's invoices can also become a tool for managing maintenance. - ![Yellow block of flats with balconies and a spruce in the yard](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/keltainen-kerrostalo.BMhGOPgy_1lflNI.jpg) 27 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company financing: how does your company look to a bank? A bank assesses the housing company before granting a renovation loan. What lenders look at and how the board can prepare for financing needs in good time. - ![Hand holding a house-shaped keyring in front of an open door](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/avain-ovi-auki.C8PnqZW6_Z1gOzVp.jpg) 24 August 2026 · 8 min read ## Monitoring the building's condition and reading the reports A condition assessment shows the building as it was on the day. What the law requires of monitoring, and how boards read reports and spot the gaps. - ![Technician repairing a kitchen pipe as a resident looks on](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/asentaja-ja-asukas.BGybxrKn_1pNlxQ.jpg) 23 August 2026 · 7 min read ## Renovation supervision: did the housing company get what it ordered? The renovation is done and the invoice paid, but does the work match the order? What the law requires and how a housing company organises supervision. - ![Technician repairing a kitchen pipe as a resident looks on](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/asentaja-ja-asukas.BGybxrKn_1pNlxQ.jpg) 20 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Competitive tendering in a housing company: comparing bids properly Three bids, three prices, but are they for the same work? How to make bids comparable and what the law says about a housing company's procurement. - ![Plumber checking the cabinet under a kitchen sink](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/putkimies-keittio.DYNH1Qgf_Z2ucVnv.jpg) 18 August 2026 · 4 min read ## Housing company fault history: making recurring faults visible Three drain unblockings in three years may be one and the same problem. How to compile a fault history and how it helps find the causes of recurring faults. - ![Resident climbing the stairs in a sunlit stairwell](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/asukas-portaissa.BXw8W08Y_8cN6b.jpg) 14 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Women in housing companies: a practical guide to board work A housing company board needs good questions, not an engineering degree. A practical guide for women as shareholders, board members and chairs. - ![Apartment keys being handed over to a new resident](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/avainten-luovutus.NSot6dx__xxXDX.jpg) 13 August 2026 · 7 min read ## Buying a flat: check the housing company, not just the apartment When you buy housing company shares, you join the whole company. How to read the property manager's certificate and other documents and spot future repairs. - ![Woman reading in an armchair next to her cat](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kotona-kissa.DkIOFh9h_Z2mcj1w.jpg) 12 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Reporting a fault: fixing the symptom or the cause? A fault report describes a symptom, not always the cause. How shareholders report faults well and how the board spots recurring faults worth investigating. - ![Woman reading in an armchair next to her cat](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kotona-kissa.DkIOFh9h_Z2mcj1w.jpg) 11 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Digitalisation in a housing company: fix the data before the software In a housing company, digitalisation means better information and smoother communication. What the law requires, where to start and what residents gain. - ![Stairwell of an old block of flats with an arched window](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-ikkuna.DzcyfvRC_Z17XDBe.jpg) 9 August 2026 · 7 min read ## The maintenance log: what to record and how to keep it useful What the law says about operating and maintenance instructions, how to write a good entry and how to test whether the maintenance log delivers when needed. - ![Autumn tree next to a suburban block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/lahio-syksy.CV7d_zDV_2krgyb.jpg) 8 August 2026 · 8 min read ## Housing company risks and risk management: a guide for the board Common housing company risks from the roof to contracts, the board's liability, and an annual model for identifying, assessing and managing risks. - ![Older couple cooking in their kitchen at home](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/seniorit-keittio.SmXXFndv_Z232GJB.jpg) 7 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company board member: role, induction and handover Just elected to the board? Read what a member's role is, what to learn in your first month and how to keep knowledge when the board changes. - ![Couple going through housing company papers at the kitchen table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/hallitus-paperit.suq1-dgN_Z4MjdW.jpg) 6 August 2026 · 7 min read ## Housing company board duties: what the law requires in practice What a housing company board must do under the law, what it can leave to the property manager and maintenance, and which questions keep the building in check. - ![Hand holding a house-shaped keyring in front of an open door](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/avain-ovi-auki.C8PnqZW6_Z1gOzVp.jpg) 5 August 2026 · 6 min read ## A one-page status overview and 20 questions for the board What the board needs to see at every meeting, and how the building's condition, finances and risks fit on one page. Plus a 20-question test at the end. - ![Stairwell with green walls](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-vihrea.yEkqQPNX_1GKniJ.jpg) 2 August 2026 · 6 min read ## The building walk-through: how the board inspects the building A building walk-through shows the board the building's real condition: what to check on the roof, in the basement, yard and stairwells, and how to record it. - ![Three people talking in a meeting in a bright lobby](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/palaveri-aula.zo-Qpiew_2dzedF.jpg) 1 August 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company decision-making: the board's most common mistakes What the law requires of a housing company board's decisions, where boards typically go wrong and what to ask before making a significant decision. - ![Spiral staircase of an apartment building seen from above](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kierreportaat.CH6OCPO7_2jmuAl.jpg) 31 July 2026 · 6 min read ## Can a housing company go bankrupt? 7 warning signs for the board A housing company can go bankrupt too. What the law says from 1 October 2026, how bankruptcy affects shareholders and how to spot the warning signs in time. - ![Blossoming tree in warm light in the courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-kukkiva-puu.B40cAg3P_ZsGeVf.jpg) 28 July 2026 · 8 min read ## Good housing company management: running it like a business A housing company often manages assets worth millions. How responsibilities are divided, what the law requires of the board and what to learn from business. - ![Parents and their baby at home](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/perhe-vauva.BocgJe9j_Z1pjGuC.jpg) 26 July 2026 · 6 min read ## What does a housing company shareholder own and answer for? A shareholder owns shares that give the right to occupy an apartment. What does that mean for maintenance, renovations and obligations from 1 October 2026? - ![Colourful Art Nouveau apartment building facades with balconies](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/jugendtalot-varikkaat.DRnB5wQ__1I8pxp.jpg) 24 July 2026 · 5 min read ## The long-term maintenance plan (PTS): contents and updates A PTS is not required by law, but it shows what will happen to the building over ten years. What it contains, who prepares it and how to read it. - ![Sunny balcony of a block of flats in autumn light](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/parveke-valo.EGJRFkLV_pCYcX.jpg) 23 July 2026 · 6 min read ## The maintenance needs report: what it tells you and how to read it The maintenance needs report shows which repairs a housing company should prepare for over five years. Here is how to read it and what to ask about it. - ![Couple going through bills at the kitchen table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/pariskunta-laskut.D9AHLXPa_ZxHwGs.jpg) 22 July 2026 · 5 min read ## Housing company finances: do you know where your charge goes? The financial statements, budget and maintenance needs report show where a housing company's money goes. How to read them and ask the right questions. - ![Warm bathroom with a bathtub and a wooden vanity unit](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kylpyhuone-lampio.CtS_LE8w_1TLAuX.jpg) 18 July 2026 · 7 min read ## Housing company insurance: what it covers and what it doesn't Property insurance covers sudden damage, not wear and tear or neglected maintenance. How property and home insurance share the cost of damage. - ![Woman writing notes at a wooden table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/kirjoittaa-poydalla.BWmhnItB_Z1hpt4e.jpg) 13 July 2026 · 5 min read ## The Housing Companies Act: what every shareholder should know The Housing Companies Act affects every shareholder. Its principles, who decides what, maintenance responsibility and the changes from 1 October 2026. - ![Balcony overlooking an inner courtyard, with potted plants and chairs](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-parveke.zqo4CpJO_2qnsT9.jpg) 8 July 2026 · 4 min read ## Balconies in a housing company: what to check and who is responsible A balcony is part of the building's structure and facade. What to check, who is responsible and why even a small crack should be investigated. - ![Technician fitting a ceiling light](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/valaisinasennus.cKnR_kQD_2cpK2.jpg) 7 July 2026 · 8 min read ## Electrical safety and distribution boards in a housing company Dust, loose connections and growing loads can make a distribution board dangerous. What the law requires, what to monitor and who is allowed to do what. - ![Family having breakfast together in the kitchen](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/perhe-aamiainen.C5Wv4Pch_2bJ6pd.jpg) 5 July 2026 · 9 min read ## Being a shareholder in a housing company: rights and influence What can a shareholder do without a board seat? Who decides what, your rights as a shareholder and the documents that show the company's position. - ![Red front door of a stairwell under a canopy](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/rappu-punainen-ovi.CcN3FXAX_Z1NtgBG.jpg) 3 July 2026 · 5 min read ## Running a housing company with data: metrics and the board's year Which figures a housing company board should track beyond the bank balance, and how to plan the year's work proactively from spring through to winter. - ![Bright living room with wooden furniture](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/olohuone-puu.BwzFOj7x_9OobB.jpg) 29 June 2026 · 4 min read ## The property manager and the board: how the cooperation works The property manager prepares and implements; the board decides and supervises. Read how the law divides the work and how the board follows up its decisions. - ![Hands holding a mug of tea wrapped in a soft blanket](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/viltti-muki.3YRDKSKL_Z1kkirE.jpg) 27 June 2026 · 7 min read ## Your maintenance company: cooperation, reporting and tendering The maintenance company sees the building more often than the board. How to use its observations in decisions and how to tender the contract. - ![Bright living room with wooden furniture](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/olohuone-puu.BwzFOj7x_9OobB.jpg) 24 June 2026 · 4 min read ## A housing company website: what is worth publishing? A website gathers the housing company's notices, instructions and contact details in one place. What to put on it, and what should never be made public? - ![Hands holding a mug of tea wrapped in a soft blanket](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/viltti-muki.3YRDKSKL_Z1kkirE.jpg) 23 June 2026 · 3 min read ## A housing company app: what it can include and how to introduce it A housing company app brings notices, fault reports, documents and bookings together. What it can include and what to bear in mind when introducing one. - ![Snowy courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-talvi.DuGBVOJZ_Z2ljWMw.jpg) 18 June 2026 · 5 min read ## Housing company costs: where money goes without anyone noticing Recurring minor repairs, hidden leaks and lost information push up housing company costs year after year. How the board can spot and tackle them. - ![Bright stairwell with a red handrail](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/porraskaytava-valoisa.DZcYQ7qD_Z2cPrpi.jpg) 17 June 2026 · 5 min read ## Preventive maintenance and faults that develop quietly Few complaints do not mean the building is in good shape. See where a housing company's preventive maintenance should focus and what the board should ask. - ![Couple going through bills at the kitchen table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/pariskunta-laskut.D9AHLXPa_ZxHwGs.jpg) 7 June 2026 · 6 min read ## Housing company maintenance costs: what you pay for and what you get A maintenance contract's monthly fee says little about the service. What maintenance costs are made of and how the board can judge content and quality. - ![Laundry drying in the autumn courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-pyykit.CxRPzYH8_Z1w97aG.jpg) 3 June 2026 · 3 min read ## The housing company yard: safety, responsibilities and annual check The yard is part of a housing company's planned maintenance. A checklist for paths, trees, lighting and rainwater, plus who is responsible for what. - ![Blossoming tree in warm light in the courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-kukkiva-puu.B40cAg3P_ZsGeVf.jpg) 2 June 2026 · 4 min read ## The summer building check: ten things worth looking at Bright, snow-free months are the best time to check the roof, facade, balconies, rainwater drainage and yard. A checklist for the summer round. - ![Resident climbing the stairs in a sunlit stairwell](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/asukas-portaissa.BXw8W08Y_8cN6b.jpg) 25 May 2026 · 5 min read ## Residents' observations: small signs before costly damage Residents often notice a smell, a water stain or an odd noise first. How a housing company collects these reports, checks them early and avoids costly damage. - ![Autumn street between blocks of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/syyskatu.yImPQHm1_1vXAJb.jpg) 22 May 2026 · 3 min read ## Why do maintenance charges rise and how can increases be curbed? The maintenance charge rises when a housing company's expenses grow. Common reasons, who decides on the charge and how preventive maintenance keeps costs down. - ![Older couple cooking in their kitchen at home](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/seniorit-keittio.SmXXFndv_Z232GJB.jpg) 7 April 2026 · 5 min read ## The housing company board chair: duties, liability and information What the Housing Companies Act says about the board chair, whether the chair's liability is greater and how to put residents' observations to use. - ![Plumber checking the cabinet under a kitchen sink](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/putkimies-keittio.DYNH1Qgf_Z2ucVnv.jpg) 2 April 2026 · 6 min read ## Water damage in a housing company: risks, prevention and liability Water damage often develops unnoticed from joints, floor drains and wet rooms. Where it starts, how to prevent it and who is responsible for the damage. Free assessment ## Let's plan the right round for your housing company Call us or send a contact request. The assessment and advice are free of charge. We can visit the property if needed. [Send a contact request](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/contact/#kartoitus)[Call +358 10 666 9988](tel:+358106669988)