Renovation of right-of-occupancy homes

Asuntosäätiö owns approximately 18,000 right-of-occupancy homes, most of which were built in the 1990s. To ensure that our homes and properties remain comfortable, safe and well-maintained in the years to come, we carry out major renovation projects in these buildings. Through these renovations, we improve living comfort and extend the lifespan of both the homes and the properties.

Summary

  • Asuntosäätiö carries out major renovations in its right-of-occupancy homes to improve living comfort, safety and the lifespan of the homes.
  • Depending on the property-specific renovation plan, the work may include renewing the kitchen, bathrooms and other wet areas, flooring, interior doors and electrical fixtures in the apartment.
  • Asuntosäätiö informs residents about an upcoming major renovation at least six months before the work begins.

Renovations improve living comfort

The scope of apartment-specific renovations is planned separately for each property. The content of the renovation is determined by the building’s repair needs as well as the amount and terms of the loan guarantee granted by the Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction, Varke (formerly Ara).

The detailed scope of the renovation is confirmed once we receive approval from Varke to proceed with the project. After that, we will be able to provide residents with more detailed information about the improvements and upgrades included in the renovation of their home and residential property.

What is included in an apartment renovation?

The content of the renovation is property-specific. The renovation of individual apartments typically includes, but not necessarily, the following work:

  • Kitchen furnishing and appliances will be renewed.
  • Wetrooms (bathroom, toilet and sauna) will be renovated and electric underfloor heating will be installed in the bathroom.
  • Laminate flooring will be installed.
  • Wardrobes will be renewed in the bedrooms, entrance and walk-in-closets.
  • Interior doors, including the door frames, will be replaced.
  • The covers of sockets and light switches will be renewed.
  • The kitchen walls and ceiling will be painted. The walls and ceiling in other rooms will remain the same.

In addition to these, repairs to the roofing, facade, outdoor areas and others will be made as considered necessary for individual properties.

How do I get information about the renovation, and how can I prepare for the renovation?

We will notify the residents of the property in which the renovation will be carried out, at least six months before the renovation begins. We also organise a meeting for the residents prior to the beginning of work.

You can prepare for the renovation by following the communications related to the renovation of your building and by attending the resident information meeting.

Residents have the right to stay in their homes throughout the renovation. However, the work will cause considerable inconvenience to living, since the bathroom and kitchen, for example, cannot be used for part of the time.

What will the apartment look like after the renovation?

Frequently asked questions about the renovations

Asuntosäätiö owns approximately 18,000 right-of-occupancy homes, most of which have reached the age at which the properties and apartments require repairs. As a responsible property owner, we want to ensure that our residents feel comfortable in their homes and that our properties remain in good condition.

Our experts carry out condition assessments of buildings and apartments to evaluate their overall state. These assessments help determine the order in which properties and homes built in the 1990s are selected for renovation.

The apartment-specific renovation schedule will be explained in a pre-renovation resident meeting. If there are any changes to the schedule, the contractor will inform the residents immediately and well in advance of the renovation of one’s own apartment.

The renovation of an individual apartment will last for approximately three weeks (15 workdays). The renovation of an entire property depends on the size of the property. The duration of the entire renovation project will vary from 4 to 12 months. In larger properties it might take even longer.

Residents have the right to stay in their homes throughout the renovation. However, the work will cause considerable inconvenience to living, since the bathroom and kitchen, for example, cannot be used for part of the time. The renovation will also cause noise and water outages during the renovation of other apartments. We recommend that residents acquire a substitute apartment during the renovation of their own apartment.

We will compensate one month’s residence charge for the resident’s own apartment if the renovation is carried out in full. The precise amount of compensation will be determined during the rounds carried out in the apartments prior to the renovation. Residents will receive the compensation in the month in which their apartment is under renovation.

Generally speaking, the residence charges will increase slightly, but not significantly, after the renovation. The property-specific impact on the basic charge will be described at the resident event before the renovation begins. In recent renovations, the impact on residence charges has been around 50 cents per m2. For an average sized apartment of 80 m2 or so, this would mean a monthly increase of around 50 euros. 

The costs of the renovations will be divided among all of Asuntosäätiö’s right-of-occupancy homes. Thanks to the adjustment system applied to right-of-occupancy homes, the renovations will not cause unexpected changes in the residence charges of a single property, as the costs will be divided among all the homes. Read more about residence charges.

The renovation will raise the quality level of the property and improve its utility value.

Residents can influence the results of the renovations by selecting their preferred materials out of the predetermined options. Residents can choose from four to five kitchen options, three shades of laminate and three floor tiling options for wetrooms. All the options are relatively neutral to ensure that the materials will please current and future residents for as long as possible. For kitchens, the shades are: pure white, light gray, dark gray, and beige.

You can also use the Asoetu benefits you have accumulated through long-term residency when your apartment is being renovated.

It is also possible to carry out tenant modifications as part of the major renovation. We will provide more detailed information about Asoetu benefits, modification options and related procedures at the resident information meeting for the renovation project.

The Centre for State-Subsidised Housing Construction (Varke), formerly The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (Ara), grants the loans for reform renovations on a property-by-property basis. Before the renovation can begin, we need Varke’s approval for the project. If Varke does not grant a loan for the project, we unfortunately will not be able to carry out the renovation. 

We will provide you with moving boxes and protective plastic sheeting approximately two weeks before the renovation of your apartment begins.

As a resident, you are responsible for packing loose belongings into the boxes and moving furniture according to the contractor’s instructions. The apartment does not need to be completely emptied.

During the apartment renovations, we will place a mixed waste container in the yard area, where you can dispose of unwanted or broken items. Please note that hazardous waste must not be placed in the container.

You may not need to empty your refrigerator or separate freezer, as they can remain in use throughout the renovation if you wish.

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