In October 2026, the Ministry of the Environment published a new decree updating the energy requirements for renovation work. The decree comes into force at the start of 2027, and compliance becomes mandatory for housing companies from 2030. If you are buying an older property, this change affects you more than you might think. What
Energy requirements for renovation work 2027: the buyer’s renovation risk Read More »
The maintenance charge is the cost you pay every month, whether or not you still have a loan balance. Yet it’s often sidelined in home purchases. Attention tends to focus on the debt-free price, the square meters, and the kitchen finishes. The charge gets a quick glance in the listing, is deemed reasonable, and the
The rise in maintenance charges: what homebuyers need to calculate before signing Read More »
In October 2026, the Finnish Real Estate Management Federation (Isännöintiliitto) floated a proposal that got many homebuyers thinking: housing companies should be given the right to forcibly redeem shares if a shareholder permanently stops paying maintenance charges. The proposal isn’t law yet, but it points to something real. Payment difficulties in housing companies are a
Forced redemption in a housing company: what homebuyers need to know Read More »
The Housing Companies Act changed on 1 October 2026. This is not a single provision, but dozens of amendments across different parts of the Act. Some are technical, but many directly affect what you are buying when you purchase apartment shares. We reviewed the legislative text adopted by Parliament and extracted the changes most relevant
Housing Companies Act Amendment 2026: What Buyers Need to Know Read More »
Starting in 2027, housing companies will most likely be able to decide for themselves whether to ban smoking in their buildings and outdoor areas. This is a big change. Until now, only a municipality (!) could impose such a ban, which in practice has meant that most housing companies couldn’t do anything about it, even
Yle already reported in August 2024 on how the negotiating position of tenants has weakened while the role of investors in housing companies has grown. The news specifically addressed situations where a single large owner controls a significant portion of the housing company’s shares. This may be an issue worth considering when buying an apartment.
Investors in a housing company – threat or opportunity? Read More »
In August 2026, the Finnish Real Estate Federation raised a topic that almost always falls into a buyer’s blind spot in property transactions: a housing company’s locking system patent protection may have expired, and that changes the entire security equation. This is not a theoretical risk. It can mean a concrete bill for you right
Locking System in a Housing Company: What a Buyer Must Check Read More »
In August 2026, the Finnish Real Estate Federation highlighted safety risks regarding balcony railings in housing companies. This follows serious accidents that have sparked public debate over who is actually responsible for these structures. The autumn sales season is just starting, and open houses are busy. It is a good time to consider what you
Balcony structures in home buying: what the buyer needs to check Read More »
The property manager’s certificate is one of the most important documents in a property transaction. Yet it is also one of the most error-prone. This is a problem because the buyer makes their decision largely based on the information stated in the certificate. What’s the issue? KVKL’s CEO Jussi Mannerberg has publicly raised the issue
The Bank of Finland commented and Yle reported at the end of June on a matter that directly affects everyone applying for a mortgage: the down payment requirement for home loans is decreasing. For first-time home buyers, the change sounds like good news. With a smaller initial capital, you can enter the market sooner! But
Down payment decreasing: what it means for buyers Read More »
