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Information Bank on Good Housing
The Information Bank on Good Housing is designed to help you take care of your home. Below you will find advice on issues such as moving house, cleaning the bathroom and keeping the courtyard in order. Also consult the responsibility table to find out who is responsible for various maintenance and repair work in the home and the building.
When you move to a new home
When moving, it is necessary to take care of more than just packing and unpacking the removal boxes. Here are the most important things:
Notification of change of address
Submit a notification of change of address to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Posti and the maintenance company well before you move in.
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Home insurance
It is wise to have home insurance, even when you are renting. Espoon Asunnot’s property insurance does not cover the tenant’s movables in the event of sudden and unforeseeable damage to the property.
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Electricity and electricity contract
Take out a new electricity contract or transfer your old one to your new home in good time. Nowadays, tendering for electricity has been made easy.
Smoke detector
Smoke detectors are mandatory equipment in all our apartments. As a resident, it is your duty to keep it in working order. You should test that your smoke detector is working once a month and whenever you have been away from home for a long time.
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Moving-in inspection
Assess the condition of your new apartment within two weeks of the start of your rental agreement by carrying out a moving-in inspection.
You can make the moving-in inspection by logging on to the residents’ e-service EAsy.
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Rent payment
The easiest way to pay the rent is by making an e-invoice agreement. You can find information about your lease agreement, invoices and payments on the residents’ e-service EAsy. The rent is paid on the 4th day of each month, or on the following working day if the due date falls on a weekend.
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Internet connection
Your rent includes a broadband connection. Contact Elisa to get access to it. When opening a connection, please check the technical implementation of the connection by visiting Elisa’s shop, website or contacting the customer service.
Further information
We offer a good place to live
We want to do everything we can to make you feel comfortable. To support good living, we have collected some tips and instructions.
Hall
Doors and locks
If you lose a key or need extra keys, contact the party responsible for managing keys at the property you live in. The key manager is either the maintenance company or Lukkokeskus Oy. The main tenant is always responsible for ordering and paying for extra keys.
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Safety locks, security chains and spyholes are not part of the standard equipment of the apartments. However, the tenant can have them installed at their own expense after obtaining written permission from Espoon Asunnot.
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Floor
The floor is subjected to wear, but you can reduce the wear by your own actions. Leave your shoes in the hallway when you enter the apartment and put felt pads on the furniture so that they do not scratch the floor. Remember that the dirt trapper belongs in the hallway of the apartment and not in the stairway, where it poses a fire safety risk.
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Cleaning
There is usually a cleaning cupboard in the hallway. Regular cleaning helps to keep the home in good condition and pleasant to live in.
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Safe use of electrical appliances
The residual-current device is an additional protective device fitted to the electrical cabinet or bathroom socket. Check the functioning of the residual-current device every few months by pressing the test button. The lever on the residual-current device must be turned to the 0 position. After the test, the residual-current device switch is returned to the operating position by turning it to the I position. If the device does not respond when you press the test button, immediately report the fault to your building’s maintenance company.
The replacement of fuses and the use of automatic fuses are the responsibility of the resident. The fuse board is usually located in the hallway of the apartment. If the power goes out in part of the apartment, the first thing to do is to check the fuse board. The fuses should be intact or in the up position on an automatic fuse board.
Also note that indoor outlets must not be used to power appliances used outdoors or in damp spaces. The outlets in stairways are for cleaning and maintenance use only.
Residents are responsible for replacing their own ceiling lamps (not including those already fixed in the apartment), burnt-out bulbs, fluorescent tubes, batteries and fuses at their own expense.
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Toilet and bathroom
Stopping a leak
If you notice a toilet or tap leaking, report it to the maintenance company immediately. In the worst case, a leak can cause water damage. Fixing a leak is also an ecological act, as thousands of litres of water can be wasted.
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Tip: You can test whether the toilet cistern is leaking by placing a piece of toilet paper on the back of the seat where the water drains into the toilet. If the paper stays in place, the cistern does not leak. If the paper gets wet and slides down, it is a sign that the cistern is leaking.
Sensible water use
There are many small ways to save water such as turning off the tap in the shower while soaping and washing only full loads of laundry. If you have a dishwasher, avoid unnecessary rinsing of dishes. If you wash dishes by hand, use a plug in the sink. Sensible water use will also affect the rent in the property you live in.
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Drain trap for the hand wash basin
The drain trap gets easily clogged if, for example, hair gets into the drain. The smell of the drain and a slowly draining sink are signs that the drain trap needs cleaning. In this case, contact maintenance.
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Exhaust air valve
Exhaust air valves are usually located in the bathroom and kitchen. To ensure that the ventilation works as well as possible, the exhaust air valves need to be cleaned regularly, about four times a year.
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Make-up air valve
The apartments have make-up air valves in the living room and bedrooms in the frame space above the window or separately on the outside wall of the apartment.
Remember to keep the make-up air valves open at all times to ensure good indoor air quality and fresh make-up air in the apartment. If the make-up air valves are closed, the ventilation in the apartment will not work as designed. Make-up air may rush in uncontrollably, for example through the mail slot or under the front door, making the apartment feel draughty and cold.
Floor drain
Cleaning the floor drain prevents bacteria from entering the bathroom from the drain. The recommended cleaning interval is once a month. To facilitate cleaning, filters are also available that collect, for example, hair before it gets in the drain. Use rubber gloves when cleaning the floor drain.
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Washing machine
The installation of a washing machine should be done by a professional to make sure that the connections are pressure-resistant. Because of the risk of leaks, the tap should be turned off whenever the machine is not in use. Do not leave the washing machine on when you leave the apartment. Be considerate of your neighbours and avoid doing laundry between 22.00 and 07.00.
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The toilet is not a rubbish bin
Although it may seem that the toilet can swallow anything, over time, rubbish that does not belong there can block the pipes. So put all rubbish in a bin. Food scraps always belong in biowaste as, for example, grease poured down the drain will build up on the walls of the drain over time.
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Apartment sauna
You are responsible for the fire safety of the apartment sauna, and you can ensure it by using the sauna correctly. The sauna must not be used for storing things that do not belong there. The sauna is intended for sauna bathing, not for storage or laundry drying.
You must take into account the following if there is a sauna in your apartment:
- Do not dry your laundry in the sauna even when the sauna stove is off.
- When heating the sauna, ensure that there is nothing flammable in the sauna or on the benches.
- After you finish sauna bathing, switch off the stove from its control panel.
- If you notice anything wrong with the sauna stove, please report the fault to the maintenance company. Do not use a faulty stove.
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All bathroom walls are waterproofed. Therefore, you must not make any holes in them on your own. It is also prohibited to paint the walls or tiles yourself.
Kitchen
Sink
Put food waste in the biowaste bin instead of rinsing it down the sink. Grease, potato skins, coffee grounds and other leftovers can form large blockages in drains as they solidify.
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Fridge and freezer
Did you know that frost build-up in the freezer increases electricity consumption? Therefore, the freezer should be defrosted a couple of times a year. Remember to monitor the defrosting process so that the melt water does not spill on the floor. Remove dust from behind the fridge, the freezer and from the grille on the back of the appliance a couple of times a year. Also check your fridge’s melt water pipe: If it gets clogged, water may accumulate at the bottom of the fridge.
You can find the fridge and freezer-specific instructions either in the manual left in the apartment or on the manufacturer’s website.
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Cooker and oven
Clean regularly behind and under the cooker. You should always wipe the hobs after cooking to prevent dirt from getting stuck. The oven and baking trays should also be kept clean.
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Cooker hood
Most of our homes are equipped with a cooker hood. The filter should be cleaned 3–6 times a year, depending on its use. Check the cooker hood manual for instructions on how to remove the filter.
Did you know that keeping the cooker hood grease filter clean reduces the risk of fire and ensures that the home is ventilated as planned?
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Dishwasher
A dishwasher can be installed in an apartment with a dishwasher tap, a space for a dishwasher and an electrical socket in the sink unit. A dishwasher must always be installed by a professional, and a drip tray must be placed under it.
Keep an eye on water and drainage pipe connections in particular for possible leaks. Remember to always turn off the tap after use. Do not leave the washing machine on when you leave the apartment.
As a resident, you are responsible for storing a dishwasher cabinet that has been removed to make room for a dishwasher, for example in the apartment-specific storage space. The resident is also responsible for plugging the water connections.
Our newest properties already have dishwashers in the apartments. The resident is responsible for regularly inspecting the condition of the dishwasher in the apartment for leaks. If you find any faults, please report them promptly to the maintenance company.
If the kitchen cabinets do not include a designated space for a dishwasher, the alteration work required for the installation of a dishwasher may not be carried out without permission from Espoon Asunnot. Read more about applying for permission.
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Living room
Living with neighbours
At best, you get a lot of joy from communal living. Life is nice when everyone respects their neighbours and follows the house rules. The house rules include common rules for everyone living in the building, which ensure peace and quiet for everyone. Silence is from 22:00 to 7:00.
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If you want to renovate your home, you always need a written permission from Espoon Asunnot.
Bedroom
Room temperature
The target temperature during the heating season is 20.5°C +/- 1.5°C. The temperature can be reduced using the radiator thermostat. If a radiator thermostat is covered by, for example, a curtain or large furniture, it will not work properly. So plan your interiors so that there is room for the thermostat to work.
Tip: The optimal bedroom temperature for sleeping is at most 19°C.
Smart heating system
Almost all of our apartments have a smart heating system. The system automatically controls the heating of the property based on the indoor temperature of the apartments, the features of the property and weather forecasts. You can reduce the temperature in your apartment from the radiator thermostat, but you cannot raise the temperature above the temperature set by the system.
Please note that any additional heaters will confuse the heating system, causing it to reduce the heating of the apartment.
Weatherstripping of windows
If you feel too much draught from the windows, please contact the maintenance company. Weatherstripping windows reduces heat loss and increases the comfort of living.
The inlet air valves in the window frames must always be open for ventilation to work. Clean the inlet air valves twice a year.
Yikes, a bug!
Unfortunately, various types of pests also occur from time to time in Espoo. If you detect uninvited guests in your rental apartment and suspect that they are pests, please report your findings to the maintenance company immediately. Pest control is all the more effective the sooner it begins.
Pests can also spread from one home to another through the building structures, so it is important to act quickly and follow instructions.
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Balcony & garden/courtyard
There are separate places for the storage of goods and rubbish
The balcony and courtyard are intended for spending time, not storing things. The courtyard, balcony and access routes must be kept clear as they serve as emergency exit routes in case of fire. When decorating a glazed balcony, it is important to remember that it is an outdoor space and that the furniture must be suitable for outdoor use.
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Structures, flower boxes and other
The installation or construction of fixed structures, such as fences or patios, in courtyards or on balconies is not permitted. It is also not allowed to attach anything to the facade or in front of the building, i.e. balconies or courtyards, by drilling into the walls or roofs.
Any structures (e.g. playhouses and paddling pools) must be easily removable for maintenance and the dropping of snow. The resident is responsible for their removal. Wooden decking slabs can only be installed over concrete slabs on the property, not any wider. When the tenancy ends, all structures must be removed.
Flower boxes must be on the inside of the balcony to prevent them from falling.
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Plantings
Small shrubs, low perennials and other low-lying plantings are nice additions to yards. However, please remember that the appropriate planting distance from the wall is 0.5–1.5 metres, depending on the species. When the distance is sufficient, the roots and shoots of the plants cannot break the structures of the building. Planting vines to grow up against buildings is not allowed.
Barbecuing
In the yards of terraced houses, electric and gas grills are allowed if they do not cause harm to neighbours. For fire safety reasons, the grill must be placed at least four metres away from the building’s walls. Using an electric grill is allowed on balconies and in the yards of balcony-access houses, but the grill must be placed at a safe distance from walls and windows. It is the responsibility of the person using the grill to ensure that smoke from the grill does not enter the property’s ventilation system.
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Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in the home if the tenancy agreement prohibits it. The cost of repairing damage caused by smoking is not covered by normal wear and tear and will always be charged to the tenant. Once all the apartments in the property have a tenancy agreement that prohibits smoking, the smoking ban will also apply to balconies and other indoor areas of the property.
The smoking ban also applies to water pipes, herbal cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
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Feeding of wild animals prohibited
Feeding wild animals is prohibited on the property. Bird droppings make a mess and can spread infectious diseases, such as salmonella. Food left in the environment can also attract rats. Remember that pest control always involves extra costs and therefore affects rents.
Pets are welcome in our apartments. They must be kept on a leash in the yard, and droppings must be picked up for general comfort.
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Outside your own home
Laundry and drying room
The laundry room is available to residents in the daytime and can be used free of charge. It can be booked either by using the booking list or electronically. That way, the laundry dries more quickly, and moisture does not accumulate in the apartment.
Please note that not all our properties have a laundry or drying room.
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Waste management
To keep waste charges under control, waste must be sorted in the designated containers. Waste must be placed inside the containers so as not to attract pests, such as rats.
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Parking and electric car charging
We have a variety of parking spaces available for rent. Some of our parking spaces are in a parking garage, some have heating poles and some do not. Most of our properties include the option to purchase a charging point for electric and hybrid cars.
Any guest parking spaces on the property are only intended for short-term use by residents’ guests.
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Storage facilities
Most properties have their own storage spaces for sports and outdoor equipment, as well as apartment-specific storage spaces marked with the apartment number.
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Club room
The club room is meant to be a common meeting space for residents. For more information, please contact the residents’ committee of your property, which is responsible for the keys to the club room. A few properties do not have a residents’ committee, in which case the key to the club room can be obtained from the maintenance company.
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Evacuation instructions
In the event of fire
If a fire breaks out in the apartment
Evacuate primarily via the stairway. If necessary, go on all fours or crawl, as there is less smoke and heat at the floor level. Close the apartment door behind you. This will prevent the spread of combustion gases.
If a fire breaks out in the stairway or elsewhere in the building
Keep the apartment door closed. There may be deadly combustion gases in the air even if no flames are visible. It is therefore safest to stay inside the apartment. If smoke enters the apartment, go to the balcony if necessary to wait for rescuers. Close the balcony door.
Call 112 from a safe place. Guide the fire brigade to the scene.