Court orders removal of private docks built on shared waterfront

A dispute over private swimming docks built on a shared waterfront in a Kuopio housing cooperative has ended with a district court ruling ordering their removal.

The North Savo District Court found that the cooperative’s general meeting and board violated equality principles by allowing some shareholders to construct docks on the common area, according to a report by Yle.

Two residents took the cooperative to court, arguing the docks—built beneath the balconies of upper-floor units—disrupted their peace and unfairly increased the value of other apartments at their expense. They also cited the cooperative’s rules, which prohibit movement in the backyard for privacy and safety reasons.

The court sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that the docks reduced the value of upper-floor units, though it disputed the claimed €40,000 loss. It also found that the cooperative had improperly transferred control of shared space to individual shareholders without unanimous approval.

The court nullified the cooperative’s decision, ordered the existing docks dismantled, and barred new construction. It also required the cooperative to cover the plaintiffs’ legal fees, totaling approximately €26,700.

The ruling is not yet final and may be appealed to a higher court.