> Autumn maintenance: getting a housing company ready for winter > Lähde: https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/ > Koko sivusto koneluettavana: https://huoneistokierros.fi/llms-full.txt [Knowledge base](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/) # Autumn maintenance: getting a housing company ready for winter Huoneistokierros · 4 September 2026 · 6 min read ![Laundry drying in the autumn courtyard of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/sisapiha-pyykit.CxRPzYH8_Z1w97aG.jpg) In this article 1. [Who is responsible for what](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#who-is-responsible-for-what) 2. [Checklist by part of the building](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#checklist-by-part-of-the-building) 3. [Reminder list for the board](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#reminder-list-for-the-board) 4. [Record your observations](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#record-your-observations) 5. [A shareholder’s own autumn check](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#a-shareholders-own-autumn-check) 6. [Frequently asked questions](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#frequently-asked-questions) 7. [Sources](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/autumn-maintenance-checklist/#sources) Autumn rain, darkness and the first frosts put drainage, the building envelope, heating and ventilation to the test. When shortcomings are spotted in October or November, they are fixed as routine maintenance rather than as emergency work on a freezing night. ## Who is responsible for what The board’s job is to ensure that property management is properly organised (chapter 7, section 2 of the [Limited Liability Housing Companies Act (opens in a new tab)](https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2009/1599); in Finnish). Board members do not need to be experts in construction, electrics or plumbing and HVAC, nor do the work themselves. It is enough that tasks have been agreed with the maintenance company, that their completion is monitored and that an expert is used for demanding matters. As a starting point, the company is responsible for the structure and main systems, such as heating, water and drainage systems and ventilation, and from 1 October 2026 also for the apartments’ windows as a whole. The shareholder is responsible for the interior of their apartment. The articles of association may differ from the law, so an individual case is always decided on the basis of the articles and the [division of responsibilities table](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/division-of-responsibilities/). A shareholder must notify the company without delay of any defect or deficiency in the apartment that the company is responsible for repairing (chapter 4, section 8). Residents’ observations are therefore an important part of the autumn checks. ## Checklist by part of the building Not every building has the same systems. An old building, a sloping plot, lots of trees or a particular heating method shift the priorities. If the building has suffered winter damage, such as freezing, leaks, heating problems or ice on the eaves, put those items at the top of the list. ### Roof and rainwater Clean the gutters, downpipes, roof drains and rainwater gullies once the leaves have fallen. A blocked gutter directs water onto the facade or plinth, and water that freezes in sub-zero temperatures can damage the structure. At the same time, check that the ground slopes away from the wall. If there are heating cables on the roof, make sure they work and are correctly set before the frosts. Gutters are covered in more detail in the article on [housing company gutters](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/housing-company-gutters/). ### Building envelope, windows and doors New cracks, loose flashings and moisture marks on the facade or plinth should be recorded and, if necessary, investigated before winter. Check that external doors close properly and look at their seals and door closers, because a door that does not close properly wastes heat and can freeze. As windows are now generally the company’s responsibility, their condition is worth looking at inside the apartments too ([the change in responsibility for windows](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/window-responsibility-change-2026/)). ### Heating At the start of the heating season, the heating’s summer shut-off is opened and the heat distribution centre, automation and radiator thermostats are checked to make sure they work. The pre-charge pressure of the expansion vessel is also part of the autumn checks. Cold rooms, gurgling radiators and stuck thermostats are typical autumn observations. If the same apartment or staircase is colder than the others year after year, the heating network may need balancing. ### Ventilation When windows stay closed, the moisture from everyday living stays inside, and the ventilation has to work. In autumn, the filters in ventilation units are changed, the settings are switched to winter mode and residents are reminded about the fresh air vents. More in the article on [housing company ventilation](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/housing-company-ventilation/). ### Water and pipes Shut off and drain outdoor taps before the frosts, unless they are protected against freezing. Check the basement and technical rooms for signs of leaks, and make sure the floor drains are draining properly. ### Lighting and yard As the dark evenings arrive, outdoor lights and the lighting in stairwells and along paths must work, and dusk sensors and timers should be adjusted. Check the steps, railings and paths, and agree on snow clearing and gritting before the first snow. Garden furniture and loose items should be put away in case of autumn storms. ## Reminder list for the board Go through these with the property manager and the maintenance company before the first lasting frosts: 1. visible damage to the building and changes since the previous year 2. rainwater drainage and the slope of the yard 3. external doors, windows and outdoor lighting 4. how the heating is working and any unusual temperatures 5. the ventilation’s winter settings and filters 6. the general condition of technical rooms 7. arrangements for winter maintenance 8. the status of previously identified problems 9. the people responsible for follow-up action, and the timetables It is also worth checking whether the maintenance contract matches actual needs: what the maintenance company does on a regular basis and what is ordered separately. When the autumn tasks are written into the annual maintenance calendar, a new board does not have to start from scratch every time. Motiva’s [list of maintenance tasks for blocks of flats (in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.motiva.fi/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Kerrostalon-huoltotoimenpiteet.pdf) is a good basis for an annual calendar. ## Record your observations For each observation, record what was seen, where and when, and take a photo. A neutral description is a better starting point than a guess: “there is a new dark mark on the ceiling” tells you more than “there is moisture damage in the ceiling” if the cause has not been investigated. A recurring observation is more valuable than a single one. When the autumn entries are in the [maintenance log (huoltokirja)](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/maintenance-log/), they can be compared with the previous year, and you can come back in spring to see what the winter did. Divide the observations into three groups. Active leaks and faults affecting safety, such as a blocked roof drain or a loose railing, are fixed immediately. Matters that need further investigation are passed to an expert. Slowly changing things, such as flaking paint, are monitored and included in planned maintenance. An entry saying “to be looked into later” should be turned into a task with a named person responsible and a date. Diagnosis and repair involving electrics, the structure, moisture, heating and ventilation are jobs for a qualified professional. A repair based on the wrong diagnosis can make the problem worse, so find the cause first. ## A shareholder’s own autumn check An unusual smell, a new moisture mark, a cold room, a draughty or misted-up window, a broken light fitting and a slippery path are all worth reporting. Your report only needs to say what you saw, where, when and whether it has happened before. When reports go through one clear channel, such as the maintenance company’s fault report form, the information is not lost. In your own apartment, autumn is a good time to test the smoke alarm, check that the radiators warm up and that there is no furniture in front of them, and clean the floor drain. If the housing company has the same checks carried out in every apartment at once, for example through Huoneistokierros, the results are comparable across the whole building. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is preparing for winter a statutory inspection? Not as such. In practice, however, the autumn checks are part of ensuring that property management is properly organised. ### What should I do if I notice a fault in my apartment? Report it without delay through the housing company’s fault reporting channel if the repair may be the company’s responsibility. Photograph what you have seen and let the company assess what needs to be done next. ## Sources - [Limited Liability Housing Companies Act 1599/2009, consolidated version (Finlex, in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2009/1599) - [Motiva: maintenance tasks for blocks of flats (PDF, in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.motiva.fi/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Kerrostalon-huoltotoimenpiteet.pdf) This article provides general information and does not replace case-specific legal or technical advice. Free assessment ## Know what condition your housing company's apartments are in On a preventive apartment round we go through every apartment in a single visit at a fixed price and record our findings in an electronic report. The assessment is free of charge. [Book a free assessment](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/contact/#kartoitus)[Get a price estimate](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/pricing/#hinta-arvio) Preventive maintenance at a fixed price Every apartment on a single round. [Book a free assessment](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/contact/#kartoitus) Read next ## Related articles - ![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. - ![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. - ![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. 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)