Take care of your apartment

How to know which things should be cleaned in the apartment? From the annual clock of cleaning, you can see which apartment equipment should be cleaned at least once a year in addition to regular cleaning, depending on how much you use them. By dividing these equipment cleaning over the course of the year, you avoid long-lasting and laborious cleaning days

Summer

During the hot summers, it is nice to have a relaxing wash in clean and fresh bathroom or sauna. So, let’s clean them! First, remove dust and other small garbage from the bathroom and sauna by vacuuming. A soft brush or sponge and water with general-purpose cleaner are suitable for washing the surfaces. Rinse and dry with a spatula in the end. To dry the sauna after washing, keep it on for a while. NOTE! The radiator in bathroom must be turned on all year round, also in summer, to dry the moisture.

Cleaning the floor drains prevents odors, mold, microbe growth, and the risk of water damages. Blocked drains can cause water damage. We recommended to use protective gloves when cleaning the floor drain and drain lock. Do not use floor drain cleaning equipment for cleaning other things. See more detailed instructions from the Floor drains section below.

Fall

It is a good idea to vacuum and wipe the dust from the radiators before the start of the heating season. At the same time, turn on the radiators from the radiator valves by adjusting it, so that warm water can circulate in the radiator. If the radiator makes a rattling sound or leaks water, submit a Notice of Defects to POAS.

There are different kinds of cooker hoods in our apartments. The metal grease filter can be washed with dishwashing soap or in the dishwasher. Plastic filter withstands gentle cleaning in dishwashing liquid by pressing it under water. Please report POAS with a Notice of Defects if it is necessary to replace the plastic filter with a new one. By taking care of the cleanliness of the cooker hood and the grease filter, you reduce smells and the risk of fire.

Even when the kitchen fan is working faultlessly, greasy dirt from cooking accumulates on the kitchen surfaces, and dust sticks to them. While you’re checking and removing potentially expired food, it’s a good time to wipe and wash the cupboards too. If you let the dirt stay too long, it is difficult and time-consuming to remove. If you see any pests in the kitchen, please inform us.

Winter

Washing the refrigerator and freezer should be done in winter, so you can store food on the balcony while washing. Empty the shelves and turn the fridge and freezer off. Do not let the melting ice water from the freezer drip on the floor but collect the water in a container and wipe the surfaces with a cleaning towel. Do not leave the melting freezer unattended! Pull both fridge and freezer out of their location and vacuum from underneath and behind them. Vacuuming dust reduces the energy consumption and the risk of fire.

Functional air ventilation keeps the indoor air fresh. Remember to clean the air ventilation valves regularly. Please note that the valves may look different in different apartments. For example, the round-shaped exhaust air valves in the ceiling come off by twisting the outer ring. The removable valves can be washed with water and cleaning detergent. Some valve types can only be vacuumed. The ventilation valves must never be closed or blocked.

Spring

The spring sun looks more beautiful through clean windows! Wash the windows, their frames and possible balcony windows with cleaning liquid and dry with a spatula in the end. Be careful when you keep balcony windows open in high-rise apartments. We recommend using long-handled tools so that you don’t have to stand on anything when washing the windows.

Even the most greasy stove tops, nobs, oven, and baking trays will be clean when you apply the oven cleaner on them, and let it stay overnight before washing. By pulling the stove out of its location, you can also clean from behind and under it. One of the most common reasons why security deposit is deducted after moving out is neglecting the cleanliness of the stove and its background.

Nearly all our buildings are heated with district heating provided by Tampereen Sähkölaitos. All our apartments are heated with 100% renewable energy sources. Heating of the buildings is closed for the summer, and the closure is opened in early fall depending on the weather conditions, but usually no later than in the beginning of September.

Even if the heating radiator may feel cool at times, the room temperature can still be appropriate. The radiator detects the temperature in the room. Therefore it may feel cold when touching it, if it has already heated the room to the set temperature. A standard value for indoor room temperatures is about 20–22 ºC. Rise of one degree in room temperature increases heating costs by five per cent.

The apartment may feel cool, even if it is in fact in line with the recommended room temperature. This is common especially in the beginning of the heating season, when the relative humidity of the air is high due to the season. In the fall, it takes a while before the building structures have warmed up and relative humidity is reduced. Larger drops in outdoor temperature can make it feel cold inside before the indoor temperature stabilizes to match the change. For the same reason, it may feel hot inside in the summer. As temperature rises and falls, the windows in the apartment react immediately to the change in temperature, and the heating may not have time to react to the sudden change in temperature as quickly. Our buildings adhere to the building regulations used at the time of their construction, so our buildings don’t have cooling systems. Therefore we are unable to cool down the incoming air.

How can you influence the indoor temperature yourself?

• If the radiator is leaking water, inform POAS immediately by filling out a Notice of Defects form.
• Purchase a precise room temperature thermometer. Place it in the middle of living area, not on the floor, wall or exterior wall.
• It is forbidden to bleed (let the air out) the radiators yourself, as improper bleeding results in a loss of pressure in the radiator network. If you hear unusual noices from the radiator, inform POAS immediately by Notice of Defects form.
• Bathroom and sauna are equipped with a hot water radiator. The radiator is to maintain a small continuous flow in the hot service water line so that the temperature stays high enough. This prevents moist damages and growth of bacteria. Bathroom radiator should be warm throughout the year. You must never switch off the bathroom radiator even though the heat may feel uncomfortable during warm summer months.

Too cold?

• Don’t let the heat escape by opening the windows when radiators are on. If you need to get fresh air into your apartment during cold weather, turn the radiator’s thermostat (photo below) to the 0 position for the duration of airing and utilise a quick cross-draught.
• Do not place furniture, curtains or other items in front of the radiators so heat is not blocked.
• Read more

Too hot?

• Adjust the flow of hot water from the radiator valves (photo below). Do not let hot air inside from open windows.
• Open windows in the night when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
• Avoid using electrical appliances, as those produce heat and thus further warm up the apartment.
• Keep windows and curtains or possible blinds closed during the day. This will reduce the heating effect of sunlight entering the apartment.
• Improve the air circulation with a fan. You can get the most out of it by placing it properly and close enough.
• Read more

Air ventilation controls the moisture and purity of the air and therefore improves living comfort. Ventilation of POAS apartments has been adjusted to a typical living conditions. It is not sufficient for controlling excess amounts of moisture and impurities, and therefore these discharges should be reduced.

Insufficient ventilation can cause following problems:

• Windows fog up
• There’s insufficient circulation of air in the bedroom
• Cooking smells spread around
• Moisture damages develop

Tenants must ensure the correct functioning of air ventilation:

• The air ventilation valves must never be blocked or closed fully. Do not adjust the ventilation settings yourself.
• Keep the kitchen windows and balcony door closed during cooking; otherwise cooking smells will spread everywhere in the apartment.
• Clean the grease filter of the kitchen hood once or twice a month. Wash the filter with dishwashing liquid or in a dishwasher. Uncleaned grease filter is a fire hazard!
• It is tenant’s responsibility to clean the exhaust air vents regularly. Please note that air ventilation valves look different in different apartments.
• If you need extra ventilation, use a quick cross-draught. Airing a room with an exhaust vent (such as the bathroom) interferes with the ventilation of the whole apartment, since the incoming air always passes through the easiest route, in this case the open window. In this case, the ventilation in the bedroom for instance does not function at all.

If you are unsure about the functionality of the air ventilation or how to clean the valves, ask POAS for more assistance. 

• Do not leave electrical appliances on when you leave your apartment!
• Electric radiators and other electric heaters must not be covered.
• In the bathroom, do not use any wall sockets when taking a bath or a shower. This means that all electric plugs must be disconnected when taking a shower or a bath. Splashing water may inadvertently cause an electric shock.
• When using a high-power electric appliance with an extension cord, do not roll up the extension cord in a tight roll; the cord may become hot and get damaged.
• For electric appliances situated outdoors, only use outdoor sockets. Electric appliances used outdoors must be suitable for outdoor use.
• Do not install light bulbs that are too efficient for a lamp.
• To prepare for blackouts, always keep a functioning, battery-operated lamp, candles, and matches in your apartment.
• Instruct and supervise children in matters related to electricity.
• Read the user instructions of electric appliances. Follow all safety instructions related to them.
• You must immediately stop using defective electrical appliances.
• Many local power plants and electrical supply shops give advice on energy consumption regarding household appliances and lamps.
• If possible, use functions that conserve water and electricity.
• Leave sufficient free space around refrigeration machinery for air circulation, and clean the dust accumulated in the condenser once a year.
• Do not place a refrigeration machine near a radiator, stove or other source of heat.
• Check the seals of the door or lid of a refrigeration device from time to time. Also, make sure all sockets, switches and visible cables in the apartment are undamaged. Inform POAS about any defects by Notice of Defects form.
• Remember that water conducts electricity well. Avoid using electrical appliances in places that have plenty of water nearby.

What can tenants do by themselves?

• In principle, electric works and installations can only be carried out by a professional — electrical work is subject to licence and always requires professional competence. Fixed electrical installations must always be performed by a professional electrician.
• Tenants are only allowed to replace light bulbs. Before changing a light bulb, make sure the sockets and switches are dead (no active voltage). Do not install light bulbs that are too efficient for a lamp.
• Tenants can connect lamps to lamp connectors, either using a plug or a screw terminal. Don’t leave the lamp hanging by the connectors, always hang it on a ceiling hook.

Automatic fuses

The apartments have been equipped with circuit breakers, which do not need to be changed like traditional fuses. Viewed from the front, the circuit breaker has a lever that normally has to be in position I (or ON) if a final circuit has been connected to the breaker (such as Lighting – living room).

The lever of stand-by circuit breakers should be left in position O (or OFF). In terms of personal safety, the position of the stand-by circuit breaker levers is insignificant.

In fault situations or is case of overload, the lever of the breaker automatically changes position to 0 (or OFF). In this case, you can “change the fuse” by turning the lever back into position I (or ON). If the lever does not stay in the previously mentioned position, the unit is overloaded or the device is faulty. In case of overload, reduce the load and try again. If, despite reducing the load, the lever does not stay in position I (or ON), contact POAS via notice of defects or, in urgent cases, call the maintenance company’s telephone service. Maintenance companies’ contact information can be found on POAS website from section ”For tenants”.

Residual-current circuit breaker

The apartments have a residual-current circuit breaker, through which e.g. the sockets and bathroom lighting, as well as the outdoor socket, have been connected.

Due to moisture, equipment failure or a similar fault, the so-called leakage current can become greater than the triggering value for the residual-current breaker, in which case electricity goes out in the areas controlled by the above mentioned units. When the residual-current breaker is triggered, it can be returned to working condition by turning the lever from position O (or OFF) to position I (or ON).

If the lever does not stay in position I (or ON), find out what causes the triggering (device failure, too much moisture, or some other fault). If necessary, contact contact POAS via notice of defects or, in urgent cases, call the maintenance company’s telephone service. Maintenance companies’ contact information can be found from our website.

Testing the residual-current circuit breaker

The residual-current circuit breaker has a testing button that you can use to test its functionality. The breaker’s lever must be in position I (or ON). Testing should be carried out at least once a year. Do not test the breaker too often, however, as it is an electromechanical device and includes parts that wear.

Important! If you are unsure about the functionality of the fuses or how to check the circuit breakers, ask POAS for more assistance.

Fire alarm is a statutory safety device in every home. Each apartment must have a fire alarm!

Rescue Act, Section 29 §:  ”It is the duty of the occupants of premises to ensure that the flat is equipped with an adequate number of smoke alarms or other devices that detect a fire at the earliest possible stage and alert those in the flat.”

Fire alarms operated with batteries

It is a responsibility of the tenant to make sure the fire alarm and the battery inside it are in working order, as well as purchasing a fire alarm. (Excluding fire alarms that are connected to the electrical network, see the list below.)

Fire alarms connected to electric network

POAS is responsible for the maintenance of fire alarms connected to the electrical network, as well as for other electrical systems in the building. Fire alarms connected to electric network must not, under any circumstances, be attempted to disconnect or otherwise damaged. Tenant is responsible for regular testing of the fire alarm’s condition by pressing the test button once a month and whenever the apartment has been unoccupied for a longer period of time.

Housing complexes with fire alarms connected to electrical network:

• Kärkikuja 2 & 6
• Leirintäkatu 2
• Insinöörinkatu 19
• Nuolialantie 48
• Perkiönkatu 85
• Peltokatu 33
• Tieteenkatu 18 (Sprinklers, and a fire alarm connected to the Emergency Center)
• Parantolankatu 7 (Sprinklers, and a fire alarm connected to the Emergency Center)
• Ritakatu 13 A, C-D & B (Fire alarm connected to the Emergency Center)
• Vaahterakuja 3A
• Ristinarkuntie 18
• Jäähallinkaari 6

In any fire alarm issues, tenants of these housing complexes should contact POAS by a Notice of defects.

There are no dishwasher or laundry machines inside POAS apartments, but tenants can purchase those, if they wish. Most apartments have the necessary space and connections for washing machines.

Household appliances that needs to be connected to water network, such as tumble dryer, dishwasher or laundry washing machine, must always be installed by a professional. It is tenant’s duty to make sure machines are installed properly and professionally. Home insurance does not cover damage caused by improperly or unprofessionally installed appliances.

• Laundry machine is typically located in the bathroom. A washing machine should never be placed anywhere else than in a bathroom with a floor drain.
• Dishwashers can only be installed in apartments that have an existing dishwasher connection and an allocated spot for it.
• When moving away, tenant must re-install the original cabinet and door in place of the removed dishwasher. If dishwasher is left into the apartment, it must be agreed with both POAS and the next tenant moving in.
• Cut off the water supply to the dishwasher and washing machine after each use.

Plugging the dishwasher pipe connections

When a dishwasher is removed, for example when moving out, the connections must be plugged. Plugging prevents potential water damages.

The kitchen/handbasin taps have been equipped with a dishwasher valve that controls feeding water to the machine. When the valve is left open and unplugged, water can reach e.g. the kitchen cupboards and cause possible water damage if the leak is not noticed in time. For the plugging, use a 1/2″ brass cap with a rubber seal inside.

The coupling unit of the discharge pipe on top of the water lock must also be plugged. As the water lock fills up with hair and other waste, the water level in the lock may rise. However, this rise easily goes unnoticed since the water does not reach the hand basin easily; this is because some of the water exits through the unplugged coupling unit of the discharge pipe. The coupling unit of the discharge pipe must be plugged using a shield plug.

Water leakages are especially harmful in the kitchen where there are no floor drains. Long-term water leakage, for example into a kitchen cupboard, may cause damage to the kitchen cupboards and other structures.

Both the dishwasher feeding valve and the coupling unit must be plugged.

It is tenants’ responsibility to clean the water locks of the drains and the floor drains in the bathroom. Remove the floor drain cover before cleaning the water lock. Each drain has a water lock that prevents the smell of the drainage system from entering the rooms. If the bathroom is not used for a long time (such as during a holiday), the water may evaporate from the water lock and result in unwanted smell. It is normal and you don’t need to inform POAS about it. Let the water flow a little longer when using the taps again to make the smell disappear.

Do not put the following in the drains or in toilet:

• • Solid household waste and coffee grounds
  • Wrapping paper and newspapers
  • Construction waste
  • Grease, oil, gasoline, solvents, sand etc.
  • Condoms, diapers or sanitary towels
  • Toilet refresher casings, cotton swabs etc.
  • Hazardous waste
  • Tobacco quilts
  • Textiles

The floor drains in wetrooms must be cleaned once a month, because a dirty drain will create a passageway for bacteria to enter the apartment’s indoor air. In addition, an uncleaned drain makes the indoor air smell of sewer. Use, for example, rubber protection gloves when cleaning the floor drain and water lock. Do not use the same cleaning tools for cleaning other places.

Cleaning the floor drains:

1. Remove the drain cover.
2. Remove hairs and other solid waste.
3. Clean the back of the drain at the end of the drainpipe as well as you can (the floor drain may have a plug that you can open to better clean this area).
4. Wash the drain and all its parts with warm water, detergent, and a brush. Finally, disinfect the drain. Rinse the detergent off thoroughly.

• Clean the sauna benches with water and, if necessary, with a detergent specifically meant for sauna cleaning.
• Do not throw water on the walls especially when the sauna is hot.
• The radiator or floor heating for the sauna must be switched on also during the summer.
• Before switching on the sauna stove, check that there are no flammable materials in the sauna.
• Make sure there is sufficient ventilation; do not block the exhaust air ducts or ventilating air pipes even in winter!
• It is very important to let the sauna dry properly: leave the stove on for at least 30 minutes after using the sauna so that the structures dry out and the sauna stays in good condition.
• Sauna is not a drying room for clothes, as continuous moisture can damage the structures and furthermore, drying laundry in the sauna is not allowed due to fire safety reasons.
• Always use a cloth as a bench cover to sit on when using the sauna.

Does your freezer look like this?

When there is ice accumulated in the freezer, less items can fit inside, and it consumes more energy. Freezer needs defrosting when the interior surfaces are covered with icy frost. The freezer must also be defrosted when moving out the apartment.

How to defrost the freezer:

1. Turn the freezer off.
2. Take the plastic freezer boxes and frozen items out of the freezer. Put the frozen foods in coolers, in the fridge or, for example, in a cardboard box covered with newspapers. During cold weather, you can take the frozen foods outside to the balcony. This is a good time to check if any of the frozen products need to be thrown away.
3. Leave the freezer door open. You can speed up the ice melting by placing a container with hot water in the freezer. Defrosting can also be fastened by collecting pieces of ice out of the freezer before they melt. Be careful not to break the freezer walls or cooling pipes.
4. Collect the melting water from the bottom of the freezer with a scoop or by soaking it in towels. Some freezers have a hole/opening at the bottom, from which the melting water can be directed into a separate container. Never leave the freezer to defrost without supervision!
5. Wipe the freezer inside out with water mixed with a dishwashing liquid. Wash loose parts. Vacuum the back of the freezer. Allow the freezer to dry and ventilate.

And done! Turn on the freezer and put the frozen foods back inside.

Washing the grease filter of the kitchen’s cooker hood is the tenant’s responsibility. When you clean the grease filter regularly, the indoor air of the apartment stays fresh. There are different kinds of cooker hoods in our apartments. The metal grease filter can be washed with dishwashing soap or in the dishwasher. If you wish to receive more information about cleaning, ask for more information: siivous@poas.fi

It is tenant’s responsibility to take care of the apartment’s balcony or outdoor terrace/yard area (snow removal, raking etc.). The tenant is also responsible for any personal belongings left on the terrace or in other outdoor spaces.

Take care of the balcony/terrace:

• Keep the water outlets open and clear from rubbish, leaves etc.
• Observe the condition of the surface structures of the floor and walls
• Sweep off snow and slush
• Balcony carpets, furnitures etc. should not block waterways or prevent drying
• Drilling any holes to the exterior walls of the apartments is strictly forbidden! Balcony attachments, such as curtains or pet nets must be done using suckers or stretching a curtain rod from wall to wall.

With POAS’s permission, you can do small renovations or decorations that are returned to the original condition when moving out. Contact our maintenance beforehand: huolto@poas.fi. Big renovations such as attaching wallpapers, changing floors or deattaching fixed furnishing is not permitted.

Permitted decorations include:

• changing the handles of the cabinets (must be changed back to original ones before moving out)
• mounting TV on the wall
• painting a singular wall (NOTE! Work must be carried out professionally. POAS maintenance or apartment inspector also needs to approve the end result. Wall must be painted back to original condition before moving out)
• installing a pet net or curtains on the balcony (you can not drill any holes to the exterior walls of the apartments, so balcony attachments must be done using suckers or stretching a curtain rod from wall to wall).

If any of the following items have been installed to the apartment during your tenancy, these must be left in the apartment when moving out (POAS will not compensate for these financially, as they cannot be removed without leaving marks/holes)

• Venetian blinds, which must be left in place when moving out, since holes have been made in the window frame.
• Safety locks, peepholes, door chains and hinge pins
• Mirrors, hangers or other similar wall-mounted items

There are spots on the ceiling for lamps with plugs. These covers must not be removed or changed.

Wall mounting

You can hang paintings and such on the walls. However, please make holes in moderation and utilize the holes that may already be in the walls.

• Select the location for attachment carefully. Apply attachments only to the permitted locations (see the list of prohibited areas below). Be careful of water and electrical pipes which have, for instance, electrical outlets and switches above and below.
• Determine the wall material, then choose the right fasteners and mounting methods. When selecting fasteners, pay attention to the weight of the object and the strain being applied to the fastener. Assistance in matters related to mounting and fasteners can be requested at shops in the field, such as a hardware store.
• If you are unsure whether you can drill a hole, ask POAS maintenance for assistance.

List of prohibited areas for fastening items and making holes:

• Doors and windows
• Ceiling (excluding attachment of a fire alarm)
• Flues
• Fixed furnitures, such as cabinet doors
• Areas exposed to splashing water
• Wet areas and tiles
• Outdoor walls, balcony walls and ceiling