Housing Company Matters
Asianajotoimisto Niemi & Puhakka Oy provides assistance and consultation with long and extensive experience to both housing companies and shareholders in all housing company matters and related dispute, negotiation and settlement situations, as well as in court proceedings.
With us, you can get help, among other things, with:
– Situations and disputes concerning the maintenance responsibilities of the housing company and the shareholder and the division of such responsibilities (for example pipe leaks and other water damage, moisture/mould/microbial damage, indoor air problems and other housing health issues, construction defects, pest control and eradication, etc.).
– Questions and disputes concerning the shareholder’s right to alterations (does the shareholder have the right to the desired alteration, and if so, under what conditions? is the shareholder’s notification sufficient or is the company’s and/or another shareholder’s permission required? who is responsible for maintenance of the alteration carried out by the shareholder? who is liable if the alteration work causes damage?).
– Matters and disputes related to renovation and improvement projects of housing and real estate companies (for example pipe renovations / line renovations, façade renovations, roof renovations and other repair and maintenance projects, energy and heating system renovations, renewal of telecommunications systems, projects related to electric vehicle charging and similar improvements, the company’s decision-making related to renovation and improvement projects, possible required amendments to the articles of association, etc.).
– Questions and disputes related to the equal treatment of shareholders (for example articles of association provisions on the obligation to pay maintenance charges, the benefit or harm to different shareholders arising from the company’s renovation or improvement project, different technical solutions in different apartments in connection with maintenance and improvement projects, the implementation of equal treatment regarding shareholders’ right to alterations, taking equal treatment into account in the company’s decision-making, etc.).
– Disputes concerning the decision-making of the housing company (contesting and invalidity and nullity of decisions of the general meeting and decisions of the board of directors).
– Questions and disputes concerning negligent conduct and liability for damages of the housing company and its board members and property manager (for example negligence and delays in fulfilling maintenance responsibilities and related claims for damages for substitute accommodation costs or other losses, incomplete information in the property manager’s certificate and other documents, negligence in tendering and supervision of the housing company’s maintenance and improvement projects, etc.).
– Questions and disputes concerning negligent conduct and liability for damages of a shareholder (for example failure by the shareholder to report maintenance needs of the apartment, water damage or other damage caused by the shareholder’s own negligence).
– Situations and disputes concerning the liability of the developer-contractor of a housing company (for example construction defects and other problems in new-build properties, annual inspections, warranty repairs, release, retention and realization of securities, 10-year inspections, claims for damages against contractors and related court proceedings, etc.).
In housing company disputes, the primary objective should usually be to find an amicable solution. When negotiating a settlement, our attorneys assist both in direct negotiations with the other party and in court mediation.
However, a settlement is not always possible or in the client’s best interests. When the matter is handled in court proceedings or arbitration, our attorneys assist you with experience and professional expertise.
You should contact an attorney as early as possible once a dispute arises, or sometimes proactively, before a dispute has even arisen. By doing so, you ensure that your matter proceeds in the right direction from the very beginning.
In dispute situations, legal expenses insurance is likely available to cover the costs of legal assistance. Usually, both the insurance policies of housing companies and the home insurance policies of shareholders include legal expenses insurance. If necessary, we will clarify on your behalf whether your insurance company grants legal expenses cover for the matter.