Property manager's certificate (isännöitsijäntodistus)

The property manager”s certificate (isännöitsijäntodistus) gathers in one place what you need to know before you make an offer: the debt share attached to the apartment, the charges (maintenance and financing charge), the housing company’s financial position, and a reference to the maintenance needs assessment. It is a statutory document, given by the property manager or the chair of the board.

You have the right to receive the certificate before the purchase, so always ask for it and read it through. Check three points in particular: how much housing-company loan, that is the debt share (velkaosuus), is attached to the apartment, what level of charges you commit to each month, and whether big renovations such as a pipe renovation are known for the coming years.

The certificate also tells you whether there are charge arrears, whether the apartment has been pledged, and who is registered as the shareholder. If any detail is unclear or the certificate is old, ask for a fresh version. A fresh certificate is generally at most a few months old, so the details hold true at the moment of purchase.

Together with the maintenance needs assessment (kunnossapitotarveselvitys), the property manager”s certificate gives a clear picture of what owning the home costs now and in the coming years. It is one of the most important papers in the whole buying process.