Finland amends Housing Companies Act to address residential disturbances

A change to the Finnish Housing Companies Act, effective in early October, provides housing companies with expanded tools to address residential disturbances. The amendment aims to close existing loopholes regarding the takeover of apartment management.

According to Kiinteistöliitto, disturbances have evolved from traditional nighttime partying to include issues such as drug-related activities and 'hoarding apartments,' where excessive accumulation of goods poses fire safety and maintenance risks. Jenni Hupli, leader of Kiinteistöliitto, noted that declining access to health and care services has increased the burden on property managers and boards to resolve these complex situations.

Under the new law, management takeovers may be initiated based on additional grounds, such as short-term rentals that cause extra costs or nuisances to the housing company, violations of official smoking bans, or harassment of visitors in common areas. Despite these new powers, disturbances must still be significant, and residents must receive a formal warning before a takeover decision is made. Additionally, official notifications regarding management takeovers can now be delivered via a combination of email and text message.