Abandoned buildings leave Finnish municipalities with costly bills

Abandoned and derelict buildings are creating costly problems for municipalities across Finland, Yle reports. In Kouvola, there are nearly 10 large problem buildings and dozens of abandoned detached houses.

The city has been trying since 2009 to get the owners of a former commercial building to clear its yard. The building once housed a bank and a hair salon, but its windows are now smashed and its doors hang open. The city is awaiting an administrative court ruling that could require the owner to remove broken appliances and other rubbish, or allow the city to do the work and pay for it initially.

“Cleaning up the rubbish would be a one-day job. Repairing the building is another matter entirely,” said Tiina Raudaskoski, Kouvola’s regulatory engineer.

The largest problem building in Kouvola is the former Valkeala hospital, which is due to be demolished at an estimated cost of about 1.5 million euros. A tender for the demolition work is under way.

Mikko Simpanen, a development manager at the municipalities’ association Kuntaliitto, said derelict buildings are a problem across Finland, particularly outside the largest cities. Demolishing a large building can cost hundreds of thousands of euros, a heavy expense for municipalities already short of money.

Municipalities are required to clear waste if a property owner fails to do so after receiving guidance and orders, and after hearings and threatened fines. They can seek to recover the cleanup and administrative costs from the owner. However, municipalities are not required to demolish abandoned buildings. They must act if parts of a building begin to fall and put people’s health at risk.

Raudaskoski said the former hospital is in a condition that requires demolition. The city could also develop the site after the buildings are removed, potentially recouping some of the cost. Buildings that offer no such benefit often remain standing, she said.

Raudaskoski and Simpanen expect the number of abandoned buildings to grow, leaving smaller municipalities with fewer residents and less income but rising costs. Kouvola, a city of just under 80,000 people, is already making strict savings. Raudaskoski said the state could help cover some of the costs.