How can I influence the affairs of my own house?
You can influence, for example, living comfort, finances and maintenance by participating in resident activities. The building’s residents’ committee or the property manager organizes a residents’ meeting at least once a year. You should always attend the meeting. Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in the house can be nominated for shared tasks. Resident activities are based on volunteering and doing things together. The residents’ meeting is a great place to get to know your neighbors and discuss common issues. At the meeting, you can establish your own residents’ committee in the building or elect new members to the already existing residents’ committee. In addition, you can elect a resident supervisor to oversee the household’s finances and administration, a security person and your own resident member candidate for the house owner’s board. It presents wishes for the budget and assesses the property’s repair needs in the spring. In the fall, the committee issues a statement on the long-term plan, budget and calculation of the user fee. One of the most important tasks of residents’ activities is the organization of joint events in your own house or houses located close to each other. When the building has an active residents’ committee, it is easier for others to get involved. For example, in yard talks, you get to know your neighbors better, things get done faster in a group and the sense of community is strengthened.
In addition to the residents’ meeting, you can participate in evening seminars if you wish. The seminars discuss e.g. the renewal of the housing rights act, the security of the house or, for example, the maintenance and improvement of the neighbor’s house. You can read more about resident activities and seminars at e.g. From the Avain Uutisia newsletter, the Avain ja Koti magazine, and the Avain Asukas website and the Kotiavain resident application.