According to the Finnish Association of Property Managers, there are big differences in the electricity contracts of housing companies. At worst, the rise in electricity prices threatens to multiply some housing companies’ charges.
– Some housing associations have long electricity contracts, so that no changes are expected during the contract period and residents are protected from price increases. Then there are housing associations where the price can quadruple or even quintuple. Many residents are probably wondering what kind of electricity contract their housing association has.
Mia Koro-Kanerva advises housing companies to organise extra general meetings, because the company needs to have its decision-making procedures in order.
– The first thing to ensure at the general meeting is that the board of directors has the power to levy additional contributions in an emergency. In many housing associations, this is done every year, giving the board a buffer to manage the finances of the company so that the coffers do not run dry.
According to Mia Koro-Kanerva, CEO of the Land Management Association, the positive thing in this time is that those who live in joint-stock housing associations will be even more interested in the affairs of their housing association in the future.
Property costs per municipality on a steep rise
According to Kiinteistöliitto’s Indektistalo survey, municipal real estate costs have risen sharply this year. The price of electricity has risen the most, but there is an increase in practically all other municipality-specific items as well.
According to the report, Hämeenlinna currently has the fourth highest real estate costs for housing associations in Finland. In Hämeenlinna, costs have already risen to 3.47 euros per square meter per month. In Lahti the costs are 3.29 euros, in Heinola 3.24 euros, in Forssa 3.15 euros and in Riihimäki 2.93 euros per square meter per month. The most expensive of the comparison cities was Helsinki, where the monthly costs are 3.63 euros per square meter.
In addition to energy, real estate tax, waste costs and water charges have been taken into account in Kiinteistöliito’s Indextalo comparison. In practice, the increase in costs will be borne by the shareholders through compensation.
As in previous years, 59 cities and municipalities participated in the Index House survey.