What is the housing company charge?
Under chapter 3 section 1 of the Limited Liability Housing Companies Act (1599/2009), a shareholder is obliged to pay a maintenance charge to cover the company's expenses on the basis laid down in the articles of association. The articles of association therefore show on what basis the charge is divided among the shareholders.
According to the Finnish Real Estate Federation, the maintenance charge is based on share ownership and is not compensation for use of the flat. The charge must therefore be paid even if the home is empty. Joint owners are jointly and severally liable for the charge, so the housing company can collect the whole charge from any of them.
Maintenance charge and financing charge
The housing company charge is often divided into two parts. According to Statistics Finland's definition, the maintenance charge covers the housing company's running costs, such as heating, property maintenance, cleaning, insurance and administration. The financing charge, also called the capital charge, is used to pay the housing company's loans, for example a construction-time loan or a loan for a pipe and façade renovation.
The maintenance charge is paid for as long as you own the apartment. The financing charge, by contrast, usually ends once the shareholder's share of the company loan has been paid, but the company may take out new loans later for new renovations.
How much are maintenance charges on average?
According to Statistics Finland, the running costs of housing companies in 2025 averaged €5.55 per square metre per month nationwide, and they rose 4.5% from the previous year. Maintenance charges averaged €5.21 per square metre per month in blocks of flats and €4.12 in terraced houses. Maintenance charges rose 8.1% overall, capital charges 0.6%, and housing companies' interest expenses fell 17.1%.
For example, the maintenance charge for a 50 square metre flat in a block of flats, calculated at the average for blocks of flats, would be about 260 euros a month. There are big differences between housing companies, so always check the property's own charge in the property manager's certificate.
When calculating the real monthly cost of living, add up your own mortgage instalment, the maintenance charge, any financing charge and separately billed charges such as water, sauna, parking space and electricity. Also check the company's maintenance needs assessment to see whether major repairs are coming, as they may bring a new financing charge or raise the maintenance charge. According to Statistics Finland, in 2025 maintenance costs were raised most by water and sewage charges (11.4 %), cleaning (10.0 %) and operation and maintenance (9.4 %).
Housing company loan, debt-free price and repayment of the loan share
A home sale listing usually shows the sales price and the debt-free price. The debt-free price is the sales price plus the share of the housing company loan attributable to the home. The buyer is responsible for the loan share either by paying a financing charge or by paying off the share as a lump sum.
Transfer tax is also calculated on the housing company loan share. In an example from the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto), a purchase price of 60 000 euros and a housing company loan share of 20 000 euros make a debt-free price of 80 000 euros, on which the 1,5 % tax is 1 200 euros.
According to the Finnish Real Estate Federation, a shareholder can pay their loan share in a lump sum if the general meeting's decision or the articles of association allow it. If the share is paid before the loan is drawn, the shareholder is released from the capital charge and the loan establishment costs. If paid later, the shareholder pays their share of the costs up to the time of payment.
Maintenance charges in the landlord's taxation
According to the Finnish Tax Administration, a landlord can deduct the maintenance charge and water charges from rental income. Whether the financing charge is deductible depends on how the housing company treats it in its accounting.
If the company recognises the financing charges as income, that is, books them as revenue, the landlord can deduct them. If the company capitalises the charges on the balance sheet, they cannot be deducted from rental income but are added to the acquisition cost of the shares and taken into account when calculating a capital gain or loss. Capitalisation requires a provision in the articles of association or a decision of the general meeting during the financial year, and funds collected to pay interest cannot be capitalised. The treatment can be found out from the property manager.
What happens if the maintenance charge is not paid?
The housing company collects unpaid maintenance charges from the shareholder. If prolonged, failure to pay the charges can lead to the general meeting deciding to take the apartment into the company's possession under Chapter 8 of the Limited Liability Housing Companies Act. Before taking possession, the shareholder must be given a written warning.
If you are heading for payment difficulties, contact the property manager as early as possible. Free financial and debt counselling is available through legal aid offices.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a maintenance charge and a financing charge?
The maintenance charge covers the housing company's running costs, such as heating, maintenance and administration. The financing charge pays the housing company's loans and usually ends once your share of the loan has been paid.
Can the financing charge be deducted in taxation?
A landlord can deduct the financing charge only if the housing company recognises it as income. A charge placed in a reserve is added to the acquisition cost of the shares. Charges for an apartment in own use are not deducted.
Is transfer tax also paid on the housing company loan?
Yes. The transfer tax on housing company shares, 1.5%, is calculated on the purchase price and the share of the company loan combined, i.e. on the debt-free price.
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Sources
- Finlex: Limited Liability Housing Companies Act 1599/2009
- Finnish Real Estate Federation: A shareholder's obligation to pay the maintenance charge
- Finnish Real Estate Federation: A shareholder's alternative financing solutions in the company's renovation project
- Statistics Finland: Housing company maintenance costs rose 4.5% in 2025 (16.6.2026)
- Statistics Finland: The concept of maintenance charge
- Finnish Tax Administration: Transfer tax, buyer of a housing company share
- Finnish Tax Administration: Deductions from rental income
- Finnish Tax Administration: Income taxation of funds set aside by a housing company
- Finlex: HE 48/2024 on amending Chapter 8 of the Limited Liability Housing Companies Act
The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.