Taloyhtiö, taloyhtiön kokous? Why it matters to me? A Look at Finnish Apartment Living

1 day ago
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Finnish housing associations differ in many ways from similar foreign practices, which are based on Finnish legislation, culture and practices. Here are five peculiarities that you as a apartment owner or renter should know.

Share Ownership Model

Most Finns live in apartment buildings, some live in row houses or twin houses. All of these housing forms have one thing in common, a share ownership model and governance of the Limited Liability Housing Company (asuntososakeyhtiö). This means that apartments are owned by purchasing shares in the housing company ( taloyhtiö), which grants the right to use and own shares of a specific apartment. This differs from many countries where apartments are owned directly.

Governance

The share-based structure emphasizes democratic decision-making, which means that you have a vote and say about the financial statements and other governing issues that concerns the overall decision making of the apartment building. This will also help you understand the future costs of the housing company such as future pipeline, roof and public facade renovations, Other countries such as Philippines and US, often allow direct ownership of units ( condominium model), where there is a different housing management system.

Land ownership

If the housing company owns the land on which it is built, the maintenance is generally lower. If the land is leased, rent cost are added to the fee. Most leased lands are situated in main cities such as Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa.

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Monthly Fees

There are several maintenance fees ( yhtiövastike), which residents pay monthly. This covers shared costs such as heating, water, renovations and maintenance such as cleaning and garbage disposal. The size of the fee depends on the size of the apartment and the housing company´s expenses.

Volunteer Work

Talkootyö is a normal way of reducing cost in housing companies, where residents meetup to tend to the garden to clean and maintain its surroundings or plow the snow in winter. Smaller housing companies such as a row or twin houses are mostly managed by its own residents, which helps reduce housing expenses. If you live and you see an old finnish man or women tending your garden, they are doing it for the care of the neighbourhood they live in.

High Energy Efficiency

Housing companies are extremely well-insulated and often feature triple-galzed windows and district heating systems. This is due to Finland´s cold climate. Sometimes, when the summer is more hotter, buying a fan or another cooling system might help in summer days.

Water Heating

In Finland, it's uncommon to find apartments without a water heater. You can drink cold water directly from the kitchen or bathroom faucets and take a warm shower. However, heating water incurs costs, and most housing companies require residents to make advance payments for water consumption.

Sauna

Almost every housing company has a shared sauna or apartments have their own private saunas. Sauna culture is deeply ingrained in the Finnish identity and is often a standard part

Of the living experience. If you want to attract Finns to rent or buy, always mention the sauna in your apartment.

Laundry rooms and drying rooms

Many housing companies often provide shared laundry facilities where residents can wash their clothes for a fee. This practice is especially prevalent in older apartment buildings. However, some of these older buildings have discontinued their shared laundry rooms due to low usage.

Storage cages and shared rooms

Each resident often has their own lockable storage space in the basement or attic. This is where you can store seasonal things such as a Christmas tree or things that you do not need in your apartment. There are also shared storage rooms for bikes. Some apartment buildings have a shared room or clubroom for their residents, where you can hold private celebrations or other residential parties.

Civil defense shelters

Many older housing complexes include civil defense shelters, designed to serve as safe havens in emergencies. These spaces are mandatory in certain buildings.

Finnish housing associations present a unique and culturally rich approach to residential living, characterized by a share ownership model that encourages community engagement and democratic governance. The integration of practical features such as varying land ownership structures, energy efficiency, and communal amenities like saunas and laundry facilities enhances the overall living experience. Moreover, the tradition of volunteer work and the presence of civil defense shelters reflect a strong community spirit and commitment to safety. These distinctive characteristics not only define the Finnish housing landscape but also offer valuable lessons for other nations considering similar housing frameworks, emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and shared responsibility in residential living.