Heka solutions: The surfaces in my apartment are worn. Who is responsible for repairing and tidying up minor damage – the tenant or Heka?
Normal marks left by living are referred to as normal wear of the apartment. It is natural for the apartment to age over the years. For example, there is always some wear to the wall and floor surfaces when the apartment is lived in.
Normal wear is influenced by the duration of residence, the family size, the apartment’s age and the materials used in the apartment. The longer you have lived in your apartment and the larger the number of occupants, the more marks of life the lessor has to accept. As the lessor, Heka takes care of the apartments’ condition and maintenance. In contrast, the tenant is liable for any intentional defacement of the apartment or neglect of maintenance.
Normal wear includes things such as a reasonable number of wall mounts for wall hangings or shelves. Exceptionally large holes in the walls or large dents, holes or cracks in the floor or wall surfaces are not considered normal wear.
For example, wallpaper or sauna benches scratched by a cat, skirting boards gnawed on by a puppy, and bad odours are not considered normal wear in an apartment that allows pets. In such cases, the tenant is liable for damages.
If you detect any faults, damage or deficiencies in your home, please submit a defect notification to Heka.
It is good to keep in mind that no alteration or repair work may be carried out in the apartment without Heka’s consent. Alterations requiring permission include installing new fixtures, painting the walls or putting up wallpaper, installing laminate flooring and installing a security lock on the door, for example.
This question was answered by apartment inspector Jani Hämäläinen from Heka northeastern office.