Yard Maintenance

Keeping your own yard tidy is the responsibility of each resident. Taking care of plantings and other vegetation is an important part of yard maintenance. Read what responsibilities belong to residents and what is not allowed in the yard.

Resident’s yard maintenance

  • Regular mowing of the lawn and trimming of shrubs and hedges.
  • Care of trees and pruning of branches when necessary.
  • Maintenance of plantings: watering, weeding, and removing dead parts.
  • Collecting berries and fruit that have fallen on the ground.
  • General tidying of the yard and proper disposal of waste, for example at a Sortti recycling station.
  • During the winter season, ensuring that snow, ice, or stored items do not cause hazards or damage to structures.

What is not allowed in the residential yard?

  • Making significant changes to the yard’s ground levels or surface shapes.
  • Changing the size or shape of the yard, for example by moving a fence.
  • Building permanent structures, such as a fence or a terrace, without a renovation permit.
  • Moving existing vegetation on the property without a renovation permit.
  • Planting invasive alien species.
  • Storing excessive amounts of items due to fire safety regulations.

Instructions for planting and plant care

  • Climbers must be planted on a separate trellis or support structure, 0.5–1 metre away from walls and fences.
  • Small plants, such as flower beds, must be planted at least 0.5 metres away from the building wall.
  • Large plants, such as trees and large shrubs, must be planted at least 3–5 metres away from the building.
  • Adequate distances help protect buildings and other structures.
  • Please take care of your own plantings as well as existing plantings already in the yard.
  • In many of our buildings, residents have access to shared maintenance equipment, such as hedge trimmers.
  • Hedges are recommended to be kept at a uniform height throughout the property.
  • Trees should have a mature height of approximately 2–3 metres to prevent excessive shading and unnecessary strain on the building structures.