Experts urge housing associations to verify balcony inspector qualifications

Experts are advising Finnish housing associations to ensure the competence and independence of inspectors checking glass-railed balconies, following a fatal accident in Vantaa’s Tikkurila district last month.

The Real Estate Management Association and the Flat Glass Association recommend that housing associations request a CV and references to confirm an inspector’s expertise, according to a report by Yle.

An inspector’s qualifications can be verified by reviewing their experience with similar balcony structures and examining photos of past projects, said Sara Rintamo, a legal expert at the Real Estate Management Association.

While the company that installs balcony glass may also inspect its own work, the Flat Glass Association advises using an independent third party to enhance reliability and impartiality. Jenni Heikkilä, the association’s executive director, noted that independence means the inspector was not involved in the balcony’s design, manufacturing, or installation.

Large rental housing companies such as Sato and Lumo have already imposed usage bans on some balconies pending inspections. However, smaller private housing associations have been slower to respond, Rintamo said.

Demand for inspections has surged, with some companies reporting a high volume of calls. Rintamo expects some associations to delay inspections until after the summer holidays.

The fatal accident in Tikkurila, where a man fell through a glass railing on Midsummer Eve, has prompted the calls for stricter oversight. Police are investigating the incident.