Living in apartments

Managing the practical services of the housing, such as booking a sauna, is the responsibility of the housing association where the apartment is located. The landlord indicated in the rental agreement is responsible for any landlord services.

The property’s code of conduct and general rules relating to good practices for living in apartment buildings and terraced housing help residents ensure that everyone can enjoy life in their own home.

Life is more enjoyable for everyone if the residents ensure that their home environment is kept clean and in good condition.

This section provides information about practical day-to-day housing arrangements.

Services for residents

There are apartment-specific differences in the way each housing company has decided to manage the practical day-to-day housing arrangements. For example, sauna and parking space reservations are managed by the housing company. In practice, this means the company that is responsible for the company’s property management or maintenance. For more information, see the noticeboard in your building or contact the property manager.

Auroranlinna’s office offers services to those residents who have concluded their rental contract directly with the company. The company office is at Eevankatu 2, Länsi-Pasila. More information can be found on the Contacts page.

Other residents deal with the landlord stated on the rental contract.

Responsibilities in maintenance

The apartment’s maintenance responsibilities are stated in the division of responsibilities table. You can download and print the table from the Division of responsibilities section. A general rule is that all defects that are the housing association’s responsibility should be immediately reported by using the defect notification service and all defects that are the landlord’s responsibility should be reported to the landlord stated on the rental contract. See the quick guide on defect notifications here.

Residents should remember that they are always responsible for their own property. Auroranlinna recommends that all residents take out a comprehensive home insurance that provides cover if you cannot reside in your apartment for a period of time and that includes liability insurance.

Division of responsibilities

The division of responsibilities table sets out what things are the responsibility of the resident and what is the responsibility of the housing association, and it can be found here PDF (67kt).

The table shows what the resident, housing association and landlord (Auroranlinna or the landlord of a sublet apartment) are each responsible for when it comes to various repairs.

For example, cleaning the apartment is always the resident’s responsibility – including the final cleaning when moving out.

Apartment repairs

Any renovations in the apartment that the residents want to make always requires a permit from the owner of the apartment, Auroranlinna, and the housing association.

The apartments shall not be renovated whilst they are occupied, unless there is a compelling reason. Auroranlinna does not carry out any “facelift renovations” to apartments whilst the apartments are occupied. However, apartments may be refurbished or renewed as part of large repair works, such as those concerning the entire stairwell or the building’s bathroom and toilet facilities, whilst the apartments are occupied. In this case, the tenant’s movable possessions are their own responsibility, if they are stored in the renovated premises.

Repair or renewal works may be carried out in apartments whilst they are occupied in instances such as when appliances or fixtures are malfunctioning or if there is moisture damage. Repair visits related to these are normally agreed on with the tenant, but in cases such as an acute moisture damage, access may be granted to apartments by using a master key without prior notice.

Defect notifications

Defect notifications should be submitted following the division of responsibilities table:

– property defects are reported following the housing association’s instructions to the maintenance company, property caretaker or property manager

– defects that are the landlord’s responsibility are reported to the tenant’s own landlord

You can download/print the division of responsibilities table here PDF (67kt).

Defects that are the housing association’s responsibility to repair are reported by using the defect notification service, which is usually the housing association’s maintenance company’s defect notification service. More detailed information on where to report the defects that are the housing association’s responsibility to repair is usually available on the noticeboard. The customer service of the housing association’s property management and/or property maintenance can provide this information as well. Information on what defects are the housing association’s responsibility to repair is available on the division of responsibilities table.

Leaking taps or toilet seats, as well as water damage and any other defects, must be reported immediately to the housing association’s property manager or a maintenance company in accordance with the housing association’s instructions.

Any suspected moisture damage must be reported immediately to the housing association’s property manager or the maintenance company, as well as the Auroranlinna office via email at osakehuoneistot @ auroranlinna.fi or by calling 020 7199 670 (the call charge is rate of the mobile phone fee/local call fee).

Any sightings of pests in the apartment must be immediately reported to both the housing association’s property manager and the landlord. Any sightings of pests in the property area outside your apartment (e.g., rats in the property) must be reported to the housing association’s property manager.

Maintenance work and repairs of the interior of the apartment are the responsibility of the landlord stated on the rental contract. Those renting apartments directly from Auroranlinna should submit the defect notifications primarily via https://portaali.tampuuri.fi/auroranlinnaosakehuoneistot/huoltopyynto and attach photographs to support the notification (a photograph of the type plate of a broken fridge or a broken window stay, for example). You can also report defects by calling 020 7199 670 (the call charge is rate of the mobile phone fee/local call fee).

NB: The tenant may become responsible for compensating for any damage that is caused by not reporting a detected defect or by a negligent use of the apartment.

Forms

All forms of Auroranlinna condominiums are available on this page. Click the headings to open the forms. Please remember to clear the form after filling and printing/sending it.

Notice of termination of a rental contract PDF (106kt)
Notice of termination of the rental contract for the estate of a deceased person PDF (184kt)
Temporary assignment of a residential apartment PDF (292kt)
Fill in and print the form. Submit the signed form to our office, either in paper form or as a scanned document.

Division of responsibilities table of Auroranlinna condominiums PDF (67kt)

Feedback form
Fill in the form and submit it online to our office.

Serious disturbances

The responsibilities and obligations of the tenant and landlord are set out not just in the Finnish Act on Residential Leases and general rules relating to good practices, but also in the City of Helsinki’s code of conduct and in the property’s code of conduct. The property’s code of conduct was drawn up to promote residents’ enjoyment of their homes, health, and safety, so that everyone would have an equally pleasant time living in their homes. That is why adhering to it benefits everyone. The property’s code of conduct is usually available on the building’s noticeboard. You can also request it from the building’s property manager.

Tenants are also responsible for making sure that their guests adhere to the Act on Residential Leases and codes of conduct.

Disruptive lifestyle

When you live in an apartment managed by a property company, you may hear normal noises associated with everyday life from the yard, stairwell, or neighbouring apartments from within your apartment. All tenants are encouraged and advised to show consideration to others in the way they live. When moving around your apartment, keeping pets, playing or listening to music, hosting parties, exercising, or doing noisy work, to give just a few examples, it is worth considering how much the noise will carry to other parts of the building.

The housing association’s code of conduct states the hours when the residents must be quiet and are expected to avoid creating unnecessary noise. Silence must be respected, usually from 10 pm to 7 am. Of course, being a good neighbour means not causing a disturbance at other times as well. This means that the creation of unnecessary noise must be avoided at other times as well.

In the event of serious or repeated disruptions, the resident who has been subjected to the disturbance contacts the housing company’s property manager and completes a free-form notification of the disturbance or reports the disturbance by using the housing association’s disturbance notification form. The notification must be signed by the occupants of two different apartments.

Disruptive smoking

Residents can submit a notification about disruptive smoking if tobacco smoke passes through into their home in a disturbing way. The notification should be submitted to the housing company’s property manager for possible investigations and further measures.

In the event of serious or repeated disruptions, the resident who has been subjected to the disturbance contacts the housing company’s property manager and completes a free-form notification of the disturbance or reports the disturbance by using the housing association’s disturbance notification form. The notification must be signed by the occupants of two different apartments.

Subletting the apartment in full and offering as accommodation

The apartments of Auroranlinna are intended solely as the main residence of the tenant(s). Our rental contracts expressly prohibit any and all use of our apartments for financial gain, for example, by renting them out through Airbnb. Subletting an apartment in full to someone else is also expressly forbidden. If these rules are violated, your rental contract will be terminated with immediate effect.

An exception to the general rule on subletting in full is if a tenant needs to move to another municipality or abroad temporarily for work or study reasons, during which the tenant may be granted permission to rent out their apartment to another person temporarily. Permission for a temporary change of tenant or subletting to a subtenant must be applied for in advance from Auroranlinna, using the designated form PDF (292kt). The tenant must not make any profit from subletting. This also applies to permitted subletting.

The main tenant may sublet no more than a half of the apartment (half of the total number of rooms) to another tenant without receiving permission from the landlord provided that subletting does not cause significant nuisance or disturbance to the landlord.

The main tenant must provide information to the subtenant about the landlord and the terms of the rental contract. A notification of the subtenant’s details must also be submitted to the housing association. The maintenance company will open doors only for residents listed in the register of occupants, if the keys are lost or forgotten at home, for example.

In a sublet apartment, the main tenant is responsible for paying the rent and utilities charges (sauna fees, parking space, etc.) and managing other tenancy obligations. It is also the main tenant’s responsibility to make sure that the subtenant adheres to the code of conduct and other terms of the rental contract in all residential matters.

If Auroranlinna detects any illegal accommodation rentals in the company’s apartments, the company shall assume a social responsibility and report the illegal activity to the taxing authorities and Kela for a possible reassessment of benefits.

Management of waste

Please sort your domestic waste. The less mixed waste a property produces, the cleaner our shared future will be, with raw materials reused rather than simply thrown away. Sorting also leads to societal savings on waste management costs and reduced living costs. You can use not just the waste collection containers in your building, but also your local collection points for recycling.

Old furniture, domestic appliances, bicycles, car tyres, batteries, and other such items must be taken to an HSY Sortti Station, or, if they are in a suitable condition for recycling, to one of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre stores, for example. If necessary, you can use a collection service, if offered by the operator – more information can be found on hsy.fi/en or kierratyskeskus.fi/in_english. Only waste that fits into the waste collection containers and that is the kind of waste the container is intended for may be left in the waste collection room, shelter, or yard area.

The waste sorting instructions can be found by clicking here.
Watch a video Sorting biowaste
The plastic packaging sorting instructions can be found here.

Bathroom maintenance

The water usage is greater in the bathroom than in other rooms of the house. You can and should decrease the bathroom’s moisture load, firstly, by turning off the shower while you apply shampoo and soap and, secondly, by wiping the water from the walls to the floor and from there to a floor drain with a wiper. Furthermore, it is also a good idea to leave the bathroom door ajar to help it dry faster.

The best way to clean grouting between wall tiles is by using a brush and cleaning substance designed for the task.

The bathroom floor drain and sink drain trap should be cleaned out regularly. Hair and dust can gather in the water lock, which in the worst-case scenario can block the water lock and cause water damage.

Watch a video Cleaning the bathroom floor drain.
Watch a video Cleaning drain traps.

Balcony

Please make sure to keep your balcony clean and tidy. A build-up of snow on balconies can lead to moisture damage, amongst other issues, so please make sure to clear it away as it accumulates.

Damp rugs can lift the paint off the balcony floor. For this reason, rugs that have become wet should be lifted to dry after it has rained.

Beating the dust from rugs on balconies is prohibited. There is a dedicated space for beating rugs in the property’s grounds.

Balconies are not designed to be used for storage.

Open fires on the balcony are prohibited. This also applies to candles, tealights, outdoor candles and barbecues.

The housing association’s code of conduct may also prohibit smoking on balconies. Balconies are not suitable places for smoking, anyway, as doing so can easily cause a nuisance to your neighbours. Smoking on balconies may also be prohibited if it has been reported to cause a disturbance.

Pest control

Any sightings of pests, either in an apartment or elsewhere in the property, must be reported immediately to both the housing association’s defect notifications service and the landlord. A good description, and if possible, a photo of the pest, will make it easier to deal with the issue. The housing association will implement pest control measures, if necessary. Some pest insects, such as carpet beetles, saw-toothed grain beetles, or Indian meal moths, can usually be dealt with by residents themselves. Bed bugs, German cockroaches and rats in the yard area, amongst other pests, must always be dealt with by a pest control specialist. Help with identification and guidelines on dealing with pests can be found e.g. from the attached pest leaflet (pdf) on the Helsinki City Environmental Center’s website.

The pests most often spotted inside the home are insects, including bedbugs, carpet beetle larvae, German cockroaches, and other pests. Pests often get into the home in luggage or with purchases from shops, such as powders or dried fruits. The best way of preventing pest problems in the home is thorough and regular cleaning and checking your food packaging for damage. Luggage should always be checked after a trip, to ensure you have not brought back any unwanted guests.

Rats and other rodents cause the greatest nuisance around and outside properties. The dirtier the waste collection areas are, the better they thrive. Feeding birds also increases the number of rodents in the property area.

Feeding birds

Rats thrive with a plentiful supply of food and good shelter. The food put out for birds provides a veritable buffet for rats and other rodents. As dealing with rats in and around properties is the responsibility of property owners and rat problems are a common occurrence in the Helsinki Region, feeding birds is prohibited in most properties as well as several park, market and other areas for the same reason.

You cannot feed birds in the yard, terrace, or balcony of your apartment, or in the shared garden or yard area of your building, if the housing association has prohibited feeding birds in the property.

Rats and other rodents are good at climbing. That is why they are also good at getting food from bird feeders hanging from tree branches, for example.

Storage facilities

There is dedicated storage space in apartment blocks for bikes. There is often room to store prams and pushchairs too. Storing prams and pushchairs, outdoor sports and play equipment, or other possessions is not allowed in stairwells or basement corridors for fire safety reasons.

The outdoor equipment storage area is not intended for storing children’s toys and nor is it a playground. It is in everyone’s best interests to ensure the doors to the storage spaces are kept locked.

There is often a separate storage space for each apartment, intended for personal possessions, in apartment blocks. The owner of the property can provide you information on any storage spaces belonging to the apartments and whether the tenant will be charged a separate fee for the use of storage spaces.

The storage space doors are usually equipped for use with a padlock, which tenants should purchase themselves. If your building features separate cold storage facilities in the basement, you must also provide a lock for your storage space.

Petrol canisters and other flammable liquids and gases (e.g., gas canisters for gas-powered barbecues) must never be stored indoors including storage spaces. This also applies to the storage spaces of terraced house apartments.

Smoking

The Finnish Tobacco Act prohibits smoking in all shared areas of the property and in public areas, including lifts. The housing association’s code of conduct states whether smoking is allowed in the apartment or on its balcony and whether there is a separate smoking area designated for the smokers. If smoking is not prohibited, please be considerate to your neighbours when smoking on balconies and in yards in choosing where to smoke and when disposing of your cigarette butts appropriately. If the housing association has prohibited smoking, it also applies to all the premises of the apartment.

Residents have a right and opportunity to submit a notification about disruptive smoking to the housing company’s property manager, if they are routinely suffering from smoke entering their apartment from elsewhere, such as from another apartment’s balcony.