You are not responsible for normal wear and tear due to residential use. Normal wear and tear includes, for example, the wearing down of the floor and wall coatings. Holes left by appropriately attached paintings, mirrors and lamps are also regarded as normal. If you have broken something in the apartment, you must either repair the damage yourself before you move out, or you will be charged for the repair of the damage after you have moved out.
Keeping pets in the apartment also causes wear and tear. However, if a cat scratches the wallpaper, a puppy gnaws on the mouldings or there are bad odours in the apartment caused by pets, these are not regarded as normal wear and tear, and the tenant is obliged to compensate for the damage.
Exceptionally large holes, dents and cracks on the floor or wall surfaces, doors and cabinets are also not normal wear and tear.
Refer to the table on the division of responsibilities to see which maintenance tasks belong to you and which to Avain. In the table, you can also check if you can do the work yourself or if you need to leave it to a professional. Remember that you must notify Avain of any deficiencies or defects that you notice, even if it is not your responsibility to repair them.
The contract specifies a duty of care, which means that the premises must be used and maintained with care and in accordance with the instructions given – whether it be ventilation, underfloor heating, or the use of machinery or appliances and the cleaning of surfaces with suitable materials and equipment.
It is your responsibility to regularly maintain, for example, your apartment’s floor drains, supply and exhaust valve filters and cooker hood grease filters. In addition, you should clean the stove and oven with suitable substances and methods, defrost the freezer at least once a year, and vacuum the back walls of the refrigeration equipment regularly.
Please remember that the apartment is the property of Avain and you are liable for any damage that you or your guests may cause to the apartment, common areas or equipment, whether intentionally, through negligence or otherwise.
See further instructions in the How to take care of your home section.
All of our new properties from 2019 onwards are smoke-free throughout the property area. All of our apartments are gradually becoming smoke-free: new residents’ agreements have banned smoking in apartments and balconies as of the end of 2023. The property may not be smoke-free for other apartments, as they may have old contracts that do not have a smoking ban.