Finland

[FI] Legislative Changes Simplify Decision-making for Cable and Digital TV Reception

IRIS 2001-7:1/32

Marina Österlund-Karinkanta

Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, EU and Media Unit

On 6 April 2001 the Laki asunto-osakeyhtiölain 5 ja 39 §:n muuttamisesta (Act on Amendments to the Housing Companies Act) was ratified by the Finnish President. The Act entered into force on 1 June 2001.

Changes were made to the previous Housing Companies Act (Act No. 809/1991) in order to simplify decision-making. According to the previous Act, costs for renovations in a block of apartments that only improved the standard of the apartments could be recouped only from those shareholders (ie those who own the individual apartments) who wanted the renovation to be carried out in their own apartment. Now, as a result of the new regulations, decisions on all renovations and reconstruction are to be taken by a simple majority of shareholders' votes and the costs are to be carried by all shareholders. The precondition is that the renovations are in accordance with the "usual demands of the time" (which includes cable television) and that the effect on the shareholders' monthly payments is reasonable. This simplifies decision-making on, for example, alterations to permit reception of digital television broadcasts or other changes to the telecommunications network (i.e. the part of the network that is located within the building and thus owned by the housing company). It also simplifies decision-making on connecting housing companies to cable television networks.