Lähitapiola bans use of glass-railing balconies in its residential properties

Lähitapiola Kiinteistövarainhoito has banned the use of all glass-railing balconies in its managed residential properties effective immediately, the company announced in a statement.

The measure applies to 70 properties across Finland, including in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Kirkkonummi, Kerava, Järvenpää, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Pori, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Kuopio, and Jyväskylä.

The decision follows a fatal accident in Vantaa’s Tikkurila district on Midsummer Eve, when a man died after falling through a glass railing. The balconies in that building were already placed under a usage ban on 20 June as a precaution.

Reetta Räsänen, property director at Lähitapiola Kiinteistövarainhoito, said on-site inspections will now be conducted at all properties with glass-railing balconies.