Why do maintenance charges rise and how can increases be curbed?

Many shareholders wonder why the maintenance charge (yhtiövastike) goes up even when there is no renovation under way in the building. The housing company covers its expenses with the charge, so it rises when expenses grow or income is no longer enough. Some of the reasons lie outside the company, but some can be influenced.

What the charge is used for

Under chapter 3 of the Limited Liability Housing Companies Act, a shareholder pays the maintenance charge (yhtiövastike) to cover the company’s expenses on the basis set out in the articles of association. The charge covers, among other things, expenses arising from the use and maintenance of the property, improvements and joint purchases. Many companies split it into a maintenance charge for running costs (hoitovastike) and a financing charge (rahoitusvastike), which pays the loan repayments and interest.

The board draws up the budget, and the general meeting usually decides on the budget and the amount of the charge. Shareholders can therefore have their say at the general meeting.

The most common reasons for increases

Running costs grow

Heating, water, waste management, electricity, property maintenance, property management, insurance and property tax form the basis of the maintenance charge. According to Statistics Finland, the costs of property maintenance rose by a total of 1.4% in 2025, with water and waste water costs rising the most of all cost items (Statistics Finland, property maintenance cost index 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Cost items develop at different rates: the price of electricity can fall at the same time as water or waste charges rise.

Loans and interest

When a housing company takes out a loan for a pipe, facade or roof renovation, the repayments and interest are usually covered by the financing charge. With a variable-rate loan, a rise in interest rates shows up in the charge with a delay. Financing is covered in more detail in the article on housing company financing.

Repairs have been postponed

Small leaks, moisture, roof damage, ventilation shortcomings and facade deterioration do not go away by waiting. When they are noticed late, the repair is often more extensive and more expensive, and the cost shows up in the charge or as an extra charge. Read more about the housing company’s repair backlog.

Poor condition shows up in consumption

A dripping tap, poorly adjusted ventilation or draughty windows and doors increase water and heat consumption every day. The building’s condition shows up in running costs even before the actual repair becomes due.

Repairs have not been planned

If repairs are only tackled once the problem is visible, decisions are made in a hurry. An urgent contract is rarely the cheapest, and there is no time to prepare the financing.

How increases can be curbed

Not all costs can be avoided, but they can be managed:

• Up-to-date information on condition. When the building’s actual condition is known, repairs can be scheduled and financed in a planned way.
• Maintenance needs report and long-term maintenance plan (PTS). The board must present the annual general meeting with a report on maintenance needs over the next five years. When the report is based on inspections, shareholders can see future costs in good time. Read more about the maintenance needs report (kunnossapitotarveselvitys).
• Fix small faults straight away. Leaking fixtures, floor drains that keep blocking and worn seals are worth repairing before they cause damage.
• Tendering. Maintenance, property management and energy contracts are worth putting out to tender regularly.
• Monitoring consumption. A sudden change in water or heat consumption can indicate a fault.

Cost management from the board’s point of view is covered in more detail in the article on housing company costs.

This article provides general information and does not replace case-specific legal or technical advice.