Maintain the Value of Your Home

For many Finns, their home is their biggest asset, so maintaining its value and ensuring healthy living conditions are crucial.

The maintenance responsibilities of a homeowner vary depending on the type of property, but even if you live in a housing cooperative, shareholders ultimately bear responsibility for the condition of the building. A new house is typically free from major repairs for the first 10 years, but after that, it’s wise to start planning maintenance work systematically to prevent significant issues from arising. For single-family homes, it’s better not to wait until selling the house to conduct a condition assessment; similar renovation inspections can be done much earlier.

As industry professionals, we often encounter properties where the surfaces have been polished for aesthetics, but all structural maintenance has been neglected. Personally, I value a documented maintenance history more than a kitchen renovated just for sale. Surface renovations are relatively easy to do as long as the underlying structures and systems are in good condition.

When it comes to single-family homes or vacation properties, larger maintenance inspections and repairs are needed in areas such as:

Cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems (drainage systems can clog over the years).
Energy efficiency: the quality and condition of windows and doors, the condition of the heating system, and enhancing direct electric heating with, for example, air-source heat pumps, additional insulation.
Cleaning and adjustment of ventilation systems. Regular cleaning is essential to ensure clean indoor air, as well as replacing filters a couple of times a year.
Maintenance painting and necessary repairs of wooden facades.
Attic ventilation and insulation, roof condition: these can have deficiencies, and to prevent moisture problems, they should be addressed immediately. Don’t wait for a water leak before inspecting the attic.
Regulations for waterproofing changed in 1998, and in any case, the technical lifespan of these systems is around 15 years. So even if bathrooms were renovated in the 2000s, they are nearing the end of their technical lifespan by 2024.

Even in a brand-new home, smaller, regularly recurring maintenance tasks are needed. A home remains cozy and functional when cleaning and maintenance tasks are performed regularly. Such tasks include replacing filters in ventilation units, cleaning ventilation valves, cleaning floor drains, cleaning water traps, descaling faucets and showerheads, oiling door locks, washing grease filters in the range hood, and cleaning the appliance.

These tasks are generally the responsibility of the shareholder even in housing cooperatives. For fire safety, chimney sweeping is essential and must be done annually in a permanent residence and at least every three years in a vacation home. Even in a new home, the contractor's responsibility or the manufacturer's warranty does not cover malfunctions or operational errors if maintenance tasks have not been performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

In addition to performing regular maintenance, it’s advisable to keep the original drawings of the house and document all renovations. At Designurakka, we always provide you with written plans and final documentation for the work done.

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