Tenants can make additions and modifications to the apartments
In right-of-occupancy apartments, tenants may make small changes or renovations in order to feel more at home.
Possible renovations include additions and changes that do not reduce the generally determined value of the apartment. When carrying out renovations, tenants should do them for their tenancy period. Tenants are responsible for carrying out all renovations they wish to do, covering any related costs, and their maintenance.
Renovations must be carried out carefully and professionally in compliance with official regulations and installation instructions. Contractors must follow any provided instructions relative to the renovation.
You can apply for a renovation permit electronically here (reference to alteration work notice). The form will be forwarded directly to your property manager. The property manager will check applied renovations as soon as the tenant has informed them of their completion.
replacement of household appliances (please always place protection against flooding under household appliances and dishwashers)
adding or removing fixed furniture, e.g. Cabinets
installing shelves, shelving and cabinets on tiled walls (holes must always be made in the tile seam), shelves, shelving, hooks etc., attached to tiled walls must not be removed
balcony glazing (requires a building permit link to the City of Vaasa website - building permit application)
additions or changes to electrical and telecommunications plugs
mirror tiles (please remove when moving out, holes must be filled in, walls sanded down and painted)
satellite dishes
terraces
charging point for electric cars
air source heat pump
The following modifications are prohibited:
Attaching nails, hooks or other fasteners to window frames or window mouldings, interior doors or door frames
Attaching nails, hooks or other fasteners to the doors and end walls of fixed furniture and cabinets
The following modifications are prohibited:
Attaching nails, hooks or other fasteners to window frames or window mouldings, interior doors or door frames
Attaching nails, hooks or other fasteners to the doors and end walls of fixed furniture and cabinets
Renovations that improve living comfort, for which no compensation will be paid when the tenant moves out
peepholes, safety chains, security locks (to be left in place when moving out)
ordering additional apartment keys
changing surface materials:
painted walls can be papered and papered walls can be painted (wallpaper must be removed before painting). Walls with windows must always be painted with white paint
changing or adding cabinet doors, for example sliding doors
alterations outside of the apartment, such as plants (the tenant shall be responsible for their maintenance)
Renovations that include compensation in accordance with the compensation guide for renovations
Reasonable improvements, alterations or additional acquisitions, which are considered to have improved the usability of the apartment or increased its value and which will be taken into account when returning the right-of-occupancy fee include:
Acquisition and upgrading of home appliances
Adding cabinets (please see renovations subject to authorisation)
Balcony glazing
Adding a terrace or tiling to a private yard area
Changing floor finishes to substantially better ones, for example, substituting plastic mats in the living spaces for parquet or high-quality laminate
Installing floor tiles in a separate toilet
Installing an air-source heat pump (please see renovations subject to authorisation)
Installing an electric recharging point (please see renovations subject to authorisation)
Calculation of compensation for renovations
Renovations will be refunded together with the transfer price (refund of the right-of-occupancy fee). The holders of the right of occupancy must submit receipts for the renovations they have made as attachments to the termination notice. Any receipts that are submitted later shall not be accepted.
In order to be reimbursed, renovations must be carried out by a company in the relevant sector, and, in addition to receipts, tenants must also submit descriptions of renovations, such as the installation of floor heating. Reasonable labour costs are reimbursed only when the renovation has been carried out by a company in the relevant sector. Note! Invoices and order confirmations will not be accepted if submitted as receipts! Payment receipts can also be submitted to the office of Oy Vaasan Asumisoikeus in advance before terminating the right of occupancy.
Maximum value of accepted renovations
Renovations that are significantly disproportionate to the right-of-occupancy fee will not be taken into consideration in their entirety. The original combined maximum value of additions and alterations can be no more than 20% of the original right-of-occupancy fee relative to the apartment. The excess sum shall not be taken into account. Extensive renovations should therefore be discussed with the property manager in advance.
Age deduction procedure
The purchase price of improvements deemed reasonable will be added together. The initial value of improvements shall not be increased based on any index, but the benefit from improvements shall be considered to decrease over time. The obligation to compensate improvements is deemed to end according to the attached table, taking into account the usefulness of each improvement
Amortisation periods for renovations from 1 January 2018
15 years
parquet floors -
laminates
hallway furniture sets, large cupboards, mirror doors
clinkers, kitchen/bathroom tiles
balcony tiling
balcony glazing
5 years
household appliances
shutters
balcony tiling
shower walls, shower cubicles
terrace fencing -
These guidelines shall be applied to additions and renovations made after January 1, 2023.