10.03.2010 14:49 (updated 10.03.2010 14:49)
Image: YLE
Two men dumping snow off an apartment block roof.
This winter’s heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures could result in higher monthly maintenance fees for apartment owners, especially in southern and central Finland. The bills could pile up even further as spring advances.
Professional snow-removal companies have hiked up prices as demand for their services surges. Many buildings have paid for snow removal from the roofs several times.
"I have two phones and they're both ringing off the hook, and the CEO has three phones and something is ringing all the time," says managing director Pertti Mäntykangas of Aito Peltikatto, a company that does snow removal.
The snow has also caused water damage in many buildings, by leaking from the roof into attic space or top-floor flats.
That, plus the added heating costs due to record-long cold snaps, may result in higher maintenance fees for residents. As spring advances, housing boards may find unpleasant surprises under the melting snow. Snow dumping off of roofs may have damaged landscaping or other things that they will have to repair or replace.YLE
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