Home care advice

When you move into a new home, we have inspected it and ensured that everything is in good condition. However, if you have any comments, you should contact the service company. When you live in the home, it is your responsibility to carry out minor maintenance work and inspections. You are also obliged to notify us as soon as possible of any faults and defects that fall under the housing company’s maintenance responsibility.

Regular maintenance means ensuring that parts of the building or technical equipment are kept in good working order on an annual basis. Maintenance tasks include lubricating door hinges, tightening locks and handles, etc. Maintenance also includes checking and repairing joints in the bathroom before water penetrates the structures through cracks in the joints. Maintenance measures in the home have a major impact on healthy living. For example, dirt and dust that collects in ventilation valves impairs air exchange and can become a breeding ground for microbes that deteriorate indoor air quality. Here we have compiled a list of the most common maintenance tasks that should be carried out in a home. If you are unsure about how to do the work or who should do it, please contact us and we will discuss it together.

Wet areas

Wet areas are always at risk of moisture damage. It is therefore important that the walls and floors in the bathroom are in good condition, that the toilet and sink are intact and correctly connected, and that the drain is working properly. Wiping the bathroom floor with a floor scraper after showering speeds up the drying process and reduces the risk of moisture damage.
If your bathroom has underfloor heating, it should be kept on all year round. Underfloor heating keeps your floor dry and provides effective protection against moisture and mould damage.
If you live in a terraced house, you can usually regulate the ventilation. When showering, it is a good idea to set the extractor fan to a higher setting for a while to remove the moisture.

Repairs to the toilet seat are always carried out by the housing company. If you notice that it is leaking or has other defects, you should contact the service company immediately.

It is the tenant’s responsibility to keep the sink and water trap clean. The water trap should be cleaned twice a year. If you have a washing machine connected to the water trap, it should be cleaned more often. If you do not know how to clean the water trap, you can contact the service company for advice.

All maintenance of taps in the property is handled by the housing association. If you notice that the tap or its seal is leaking, please contact the service company.

The floor drain should be opened and cleaned at least a couple of times a year. Over time, hair and dust accumulate in the floor drain, which can clog it. This can cause water to flow out onto the bathroom floor and, in the worst case, even outside the bathroom. In addition, a clogged drain can cause unpleasant odours in the bathroom. If you need advice on how to clean your floor drain, please contact the service company.

The tenant is responsible for ensuring that the washing machine connections are in good condition. Remember to regularly check the washing machine’s water and drain connections. Never leave the machine running unattended. Turn off the washing machine’s water tap and power supply after each wash.

Check the sauna heater regularly and ensure that the thermostat is working and that the sauna switches off at the set time.
When you have finished bathing, you should wipe down the sauna and leave it for a short while to avoid moisture damage. Then open the bathroom door and set the extractor fan to a higher setting for a while to remove the moist air from the sauna.

Kitchen

The kitchen contains equipment that needs to be looked after so that it works properly.

The tenant is responsible for ensuring that the refrigerator and freezer function properly and do not cause water damage or fire. The freezer should be defrosted at least once a year and more often if ice forms. Do not leave your home when defrosting the freezer, as water can easily run onto the floor and cause damage. Also remember to pull out the refrigerator/freezer a couple of times a year and vacuum behind it. Dust behind the refrigerator/freezer can cause a fire due to poor air circulation. Impaired air circulation also increases electricity consumption.

You should replace the light bulb in the refrigerator yourself.

Your flat is equipped for the installation of a dishwasher. Dishwasher connections cause the most water damage in Finland. Therefore, the installation should be carried out by a professional. You are responsible for ensuring that the installation is carried out. In addition, you should regularly check the dishwasher’s water and drain connections and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

We recommend using a tray under the dishwasher to collect and drain any leaked water. This will help you detect a leak in good time.

Never leave the tap running or the dishwasher running without supervision. Always turn off the tap to the dishwasher when the machine is not in use.

Check regularly that the kitchen’s water trap is not leaking. The water trap is located in the same cupboard where you store rubbish, which means that it is easy to knock against the water trap, causing it to start leaking. The kitchen’s water trap should also be cleaned a couple of times a year. Check the kitchen tap regularly and if you notice any leaks or have any questions, contact the service company.

If you have a cooker hood with a grease filter, this should be cleaned regularly. Wash the filter with warm water and washing-up liquid or put it in the dishwasher. In some cases, the filter may need to be replaced. If so, contact the service company.

If your cooker hood has an active carbon filter, you should also clean it regularly or replace it with a new filter.

You should replace the lamp in the cooker hood yourself.

Clean the hob and oven regularly. Pull out the hob now and then and clean underneath and on the sides. You should replace the light bulb in the hob yourself. If your hob is not working as it should, contact the service company.

Electrical equipment and lamps

Any electrical installations in the accommodation should be carried out by professionals. Contact the service company if you notice any faults or defects in the electrical equipment in the accommodation. A broken socket can pose a health risk or cause a fire. During your stay, you are responsible for replacing any broken light bulbs and fluorescent tubes.

Fuses protect users of electricity from accidents in the event of a serious fault or if electrical equipment is used incorrectly. Fuses also protect electrical cables from overload. If the fuse is broken, no current is supplied to a particular piece of electrical equipment or a particular area. A burnt-out disposable fuse should be replaced with a new one, while an automatic fuse is simply reset to the functional position.

Internet and tv

The property has a fibre optic connection via the service provider Karjaan Puhelin, which is connected to all residences. You should contact Karjaan Puhelin to obtain a connection to your residence. You are responsible for the cost of the network connection.

Cable TV channels are also available via the fibre connection, but the cost of this is covered by the housing association. Channel packages and additional services can be ordered from the service provider.

Radiators

Remember never to cover the radiators with curtains or furniture, as this interferes with the thermostat’s function and may pose a fire hazard. Vacuum regularly under and behind the radiators. If the thermostat is not working properly, contact the service company. A thermostat regulates the temperature by turning the heat supply to a room on or off, based on the set temperature. When the temperature drops below the set level, the thermostat turns the heat on, and when the temperature reaches the desired level, the heat is turned off.

The recommended indoor temperature in rooms where people spend time is 20-22 degrees, while people sleep better if the bedroom temperature is 18-20 degrees. Too high a temperature can cause dry air, fatigue and other health problems, while too low a temperature can cause respiratory problems and increase the risk of moisture damage, so it is important to follow the recommendations.

Under de varma sommarmånaderna kan ventilen kila fast, vilket kan medföra att vattnet inte kan röra sig fritt i elementet eller så finns det luft i det. Kolla elementens termostat i början av perioden då det börjar behövas värme. Om det inte fungerar rätt bör du kontakta servicebolaget.

Ventilation

All buildings have a roof fan that circulates the indoor air. In high-rise buildings, this is controlled centrally and the extraction is more efficient at times when people usually cook, shower, etc.

In terraced houses, residents can regulate the power themselves. You should always keep it at least at minimum power. NOTE! Never switch it off completely, as this can cause moisture damage to the premises!

Wipe dust off the valves at least twice a year. If the cover can be removed, wash it with a mild detergent solution. Keep the valves open. Do not cover them or change their settings. This also applies to replacement air valves. Air circulation is essential for healthy indoor air!

Fire detectors

Each floor of a residential building should have at least one fire detector for every 60 m2. From the beginning of 2026, responsibility for fire detectors in residential buildings will be transferred to the housing company. Until then, residents are responsible for purchasing, testing and maintaining smoke alarms. After the transition, the housing company will be responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient functioning smoke alarms in the homes, while residents will be responsible for testing them regularly and reporting any faults.

Windows

Window cleaning is recommended annually. Clean window frames as well to preserve their longevity. Remember to support large windows when they are open.

A properly sealed window reduces energy consumption, prevents dust and dirt from entering the flat, and blocks out noise from traffic outside. Check your window seals when you wash your windows and contact the service company if you think the seals need to be replaced.

Balcony

The balcony is part of the dwelling and should therefore be maintained. Remove rubbish, water and snow from the balcony that could lead to moisture problems. When cleaning the balcony, care should be taken to ensure that rubbish, water or snow does not end up on the neighbour’s balcony. The pipe that drains water from the balcony should be kept clear of leaves and other debris.

Terrace / courtyard

If the tenant has their own courtyard, it is also part of the dwelling and should therefore be maintained. Terraces should be cleared of snow and dirt to preserve their longevity. Ensure that the courtyard is kept tidy, the grass is mowed, and any plants are cared for. If climbing plants such as vines are growing there, make sure that they do not grow into the structures, and if you have apple trees or similar, prune them so that they are kept tidy.

Most housing associations have a communal lawnmower that you can borrow when needed. Contact the service company to access it.

Storage space

All buildings have storage spaces for each flat. To ensure the safe and orderly use of storage spaces in the housing association, please observe the following:

The storage rooms are specific to each flat and intended solely for the use of the residents of that flat.
We recommend that storage rooms be kept locked to prevent unauthorised access. The housing association is not responsible for items that disappear from storage rooms.
Keep walkways and emergency exits clear of objects. Objects must not be stored outside the storage room.
Do not store flammable or hazardous substances in the storage rooms.
Please note that when moving out, the storage room must be completely emptied before you move out. Remove any locks and leave the storage room in a clean condition.

Water

Conserving water is justified and recommended, as the cost of water and wastewater is the second largest expense for housing companies after heating costs.

There are several things you can do in your everyday life to save water. Take shorter showers, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or soaping yourself. Wash dishes efficiently – use a washing-up bowl or plug when washing by hand and avoid washing under running water. Collect rainwater to water the garden, water in the evening or early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

Leaks in taps and toilets should be reported immediately to the service company.

Sewage

The sewage network cannot handle waste that is not intended for it. Due to the risk of blockages and the cleanability of the sewage water, the following items must not be disposed of in the sewage system:

Solid household waste (e.g. potato and fruit peelings)
Coffee grounds
Tobacco butts
Cover and newsprint paper
Textiles
Sand (e.g. cat litter)
Construction waste
Grease (e.g. cooking fat), oil, petrol, solvents, etc.
Sanitary towels, nappies, contraceptives or other medicines
Toilet fresheners, medicine packaging, or similar bathroom accessories

Waste

Separating household waste is highly recommended. The housing company provides waste bins for organic waste, plastic, cardboard, paper, metal, glass and mixed waste. By separating your waste, you help reduce environmental impact and save on waste disposal costs, which in turn has a direct impact on rent levels.

Larger waste items, such as furniture and home electronics, should be taken to the waste disposal site by the tenant. For example, recycling electronics is free of charge if you take them to the waste disposal site yourself, and mixed waste does not cost much either. You can find more information about recycling on Rosk’n Roll’s website https://rosknroll.fi/.

If this waste is left in the company’s waste disposal areas, the service company will charge an hourly rate for the work, transport and recycling. This will be considerably more expensive, and all of this will affect the rent level.

Barbecuing in the yard

In high-rise and terraced house courtyards, it is permitted to barbecue at a safe distance from the property using charcoal, gas and electric barbecues. On balconies, only electric barbecues may be used. Disposable barbecues and charcoal barbecues are considered open flames and may therefore not be used on balconies.

When barbecuing, you should always supervise the barbecue, take fire safety into account and ensure that smoke does not drift into your neighbours’ gardens. Anyone who barbecues is always liable for compensation if they act carelessly, so remember fire safety and always consider your neighbours so that the smoke does not disturb others.

Swimming pool

A small children’s pool with a maximum capacity of 1,000 litres is permitted in the courtyard. Larger swimming pools/tubs are not permitted. A larger pool can cause water damage to the structures if it breaks. Please note that tenants are always responsible for their own structures. Water damage, slipping accidents or other damage caused by pools may result in liability for compensation.

The courtyard and common areas

The communal courtyard and common areas are there to enhance your enjoyment of the property. We have renovated most of the playgrounds, making them safe for your children to play in. Please keep the courtyard tidy and report any faults or defects to the service company. You are also responsible for ensuring that your children do not litter or damage anything.

Laundry room

Some properties have a communal laundry room. The laundry room is used according to the booking list. After use, the laundry room must be left tidy and the power must be turned off. It is forbidden to wash carpets in the washing machine. Clothes must be removed from the drying rooms immediately after they have dried.

Shared sauna facilities

Some properties have a shared sauna. It is forbidden to wash pets or clothes in the sauna facilities. Sauna times must be observed; use the changing room that corresponds to your sauna time and clean the facilities after your sauna session.

If there is damage

Report the damage immediately to the service company. Save the service company’s emergency number in your phone so that it is easily accessible when needed. Failure to report the damage may result in liability for compensation.

The main principle is that, if damage occurs, the first priority is to prevent it from spreading. If the damage is caused by the resident’s negligence, the resident may be liable for damages. Home insurance and liability insurance are extremely important.

Opening doors via property management

Door opening via property management is charged in the evenings and at weekends according to their rates. On weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., opening is free of charge. When opening, the tenant must be able to prove their identity.