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Responsibilities for snow removal is shared between maintenance and the residents
Every resident plays an important role in maintaining the safety and comfort of their residential property. This is also true in winter, as the responsibility for snow removal and slip prevention is shared between maintenance* and the residents.
Snow is an essential part of winter, but it should not compromise living safety. Therefore, snow removal work begins immediately by maintenance when obstructive snow has accumulated on pathways and parking areas more than three centimeters.
The first to set out is the maintenance snowplowing equipment. Its task is to plow snow from main pathways and emergency and maintenance roads. Staircases and the fronts of staircase doors require manual snow removal, which starts with the visit of a manual snow removal team. The finishing touches for staircases and the fronts of staircase doors are next in line only after the snowfall has ended.
Maintenance primarily piles the snow in designated snow dumping areas according to the property's yard plan. If these start to fill up, snow is piled onto possible guest parking spaces of the property. This avoids the costly removal of snow.
Large piles of snow can be tempting places for the youngest members of the family, but for example, a snowplow driver may not always notice children playing in the piles. Therefore, it's important to discuss safe play rules in the yard with children.
Maintenance is responsible for sanding of common walkways, and that the property has sand available for residents' slip prevention measures. If this is not the case, contact your property's maintenance.
Residents are responsible for part of snow removal and sanding duties
Although maintenance is responsible for a large part of winter upkeep, the division of responsibility is also central in winter chores.
If your apartment door opens outward or if it has a controlled yard and/or an outdoor storage, you are responsible for the following actions:
- Snow removal and slip prevention on the path leading to the main walkway. In row houses, this means the balcony access path, whereas snow work and sanding of balcony stairs are the responsibility of maintenance.
- Snow removal and sanding of the controlled yard and outdoor storage.
Snow also needs to be removed from your apartment's balcony, as it serves as an emergency exit in rescue situations. However, be careful if you are removing snow from the balcony. Always check first that there is no one below the balcony, and be careful not to damage the balcony's surfaces.
If you have an outdoor parking space, it is your responsibility to remove snow and prevent slipping in that area. Remember to also remove snow from the narrow area between cars, as snow left there gets compacted underfoot and eventually forms an icy and slippery ridge.
Each resident is responsible for acquiring their own snow removal and sanding tools for the controlled yard and/or balcony and parking space. If your residential property has communal snow removal and sanding tools, their placement and procurement are the responsibility of the residents' committee.
* Maintenance is responsible for plowing and sanding. The exception is in the Kauklahti district, where Nupumies Oy is responsible for plowing and sanding.