> Power cuts in a housing company: preparation and what to do > Lähde: https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/ > Koko sivusto koneluettavana: https://huoneistokierros.fi/llms-full.txt [Knowledge base](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/) # Power cuts in a housing company: preparation and what to do Huoneistokierros · 3 October 2026 · 6 min read ![Christmas tree glowing in the window of a block of flats](https://huoneistokierros.fi/_astro/ikkuna-joulukuusi.CCNTNGwS_2rvnQ8.jpg) In this article 1. [What a power cut affects](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/#what-a-power-cut-affects) 2. [A power cut plan for the housing company](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/#a-power-cut-plan-for-the-housing-company) 3. [How residents can prepare](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/#how-residents-can-prepare) 4. [Preparation checklist for the board](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/#preparation-checklist-for-the-board) 5. [Frequently asked questions](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/power-cut-in-a-housing-company/#frequently-asked-questions) In a housing company, a power cut affects the lifts, electric locks, water supply, ventilation, heating and other building services all at once. A short cut does not usually cause major problems, but the board, the property manager and the maintenance company should know in advance what exactly happens in their building when the power goes off and comes back on. Being prepared does not require expensive backup power. The first steps are to identify the risks, agree on procedures and tell residents what to do. ## What a power cut affects According to the [Finnish Real Estate Federation (Kiinteistöliitto; in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.kiinteistoliitto.fi/taloyhtio/energia/sahkokatko/), during a power cut lifts, electronic door codes and door entry phones do not work, heating and ventilation stop, water may not come out of the taps and the toilet may not be usable. Internet and mobile phone connections may also be disrupted. The effects depend on the building’s systems and how long the cut lasts. ### Lighting Lights in stairwells, basements, storage areas and outdoor areas may go out, which increases the risk of tripping. The housing company should know what emergency and exit sign lighting the building has and which spaces will be left dark. ### Lifts Many lifts stop immediately. Some have a backup system that takes the car to the nearest floor, but this depends on the lift. During a scheduled power cut, it is best not to use the lift. If you are stuck in a lift, stay calm and use the alarm device. Do not force the doors open or try to climb out yourself if the lift has stopped between floors. The housing company should check with the lift maintenance company how alarms are relayed during a power cut. ### Electric locks According to Kiinteistöliitto, electric locks usually also have a mechanical lock case, so you can get in with a key. Systems vary, so the housing company should find out in advance how the front doors, basement and car park doors and other electrically controlled access routes work during a power cut, and tell residents. ### Water and drains If the water supply relies on pumps, the water may stop when they do. Kiinteistöliitto advises turning off taps for the duration of the cut and avoiding using water. In buildings with district heating, scalding hot water may come out of the tap during or after a cut, so open taps carefully when the power comes back on. ### Heating Even in a building with district heating, heat distribution needs electrically powered pumps and automation. According to Kiinteistöliitto, an apartment will hardly cool down at all during a cut of a couple of hours. In a long cut during freezing weather, care must also be taken to prevent water pipes from freezing. ### Ventilation Mechanical ventilation stops for the duration of the cut. A short cut does not usually have a significant effect on indoor air, but the impact increases in a long one. The most important thing is to make sure that the ventilation restarts properly and the settings are retained when the power comes back on. ### Smoke alarms and safety systems Some safety systems switch to battery power during a cut. Kiinteistöliitto points out that the backup batteries in mains-powered smoke alarms must be in working order. Under the [Rescue Act (in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2011/379), acquiring and maintaining smoke alarms in apartments is the responsibility of the owner of the building, in other words the housing company. More in the article on [fire safety in a housing company](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/housing-company-fire-safety/). ## A power cut plan for the housing company [Kiinteistöliitto (in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.kiinteistoliitto.fi/taloyhtio/energia/sahkokatko/taloyhtionvarautuminen/) recommends that the board and the property manager go through preparations together and agree with the maintenance company who checks that each system is working after a cut. It is worth confirming with the maintenance company that heating, ventilation and building automation restart and that settings and timers stay as they were. A simple procedure sets out: - who receives information about the cut and who informs residents - who contacts the maintenance company - which systems are checked when the power comes back on and who does this - which systems have to be restarted manually - how faults are reported Checking and restarting technical systems is a job for professionals, not board members. Residents should not have to start thinking about the effects of a power cut only once they are in a dark stairwell. A short guide on the noticeboard or in the company’s electronic resident communications explains what to do about lifts and electric locks, whether water can be used, where to report problems and where to find out how long the cut will last. ## How residents can prepare [Kiinteistöliitto (in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.kiinteistoliitto.fi/taloyhtio/energia/sahkokatko/asukkaanvarautuminen/) recommends keeping enough water and food that can be eaten without cooking for three days at home, along with a battery-powered torch and radio, spare batteries and a power bank for your phone. You can give your mobile number to your electricity network company to receive text messages about power cuts. [During a power cut (in Finnish) (opens in a new tab)](https://www.kiinteistoliitto.fi/taloyhtio/energia/sahkokatko/toimintakatkonaikana/): - Switch off or unplug the hob, oven, washing machines and other appliances so that they do not put a load on the grid when the power comes back. - Turn off the taps and do not use water. - Leave one light switched on so that you notice when the power returns. - Keep doors and windows closed, and do not open the fridge and freezer unnecessarily. - Avoid using the lift. - Plug appliances back in gradually when the power returns. ## Preparation checklist for the board 1. Does the housing company have a power cut plan, and do the board, the property manager and the maintenance company know their own tasks? 2. Has it been established how the lifts, electric locks, water supply, heating and ventilation work during a power cut? 3. Are the backup batteries in smoke alarms and the emergency lighting in working order? 4. Is it known which systems have to be restarted manually? 5. Have residents been given clear instructions? 6. Has it been agreed who checks the systems after a power cut? Many systems work perfectly for years until, after a power cut, it turns out that they do not restart by themselves. A power cut is also a good moment to check the condition of the distribution boards, which is covered in the article on [electrical safety in a housing company](https://huoneistokierros.fi/en/knowledge-base/housing-company-electrical-safety/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Does a housing company need a backup generator? Not necessarily. It depends on the building, its systems and its risks. The first step is to establish which systems are critical during a power cut and how their operation has already been secured. ### Can an apartment get cold during a power cut? A cut of a couple of hours does not usually cool an apartment significantly. In a long cut during freezing weather, the effect is greater, and the risk of pipes freezing must also be dealt with. ### Should the housing company inform residents about power cuts? Kiinteistöliitto recommends telling residents in advance how a possible power cut will affect them and what to do if it happens. 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 - ![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. - ![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. 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