Heka Housing Company in Haaga Bans Laundry on Sundays and Public Holidays
A residential building in the Haaga district of Helsinki has implemented a rule prohibiting laundry washing on Sundays and public holidays, sparking discussion among residents. The restriction, first reported by Helsingin Sanomat, applies to a property owned by the City of Helsinki’s housing company, Heka.
According to Heka’s property management director, Pekka Pirinen, the ban is not part of the company’s general policies. Instead, resident committees have the authority to establish their own rules for shared facilities, such as laundry rooms (Ilta-Sanomat). Jaana Vihreäluoto, Heka’s property manager for the Haaga area, confirmed that similar restrictions exist in other housing companies in the region, citing noise disturbances as the primary reason.
“Public holidays are traditionally kept peaceful,” Vihreäluoto told Helsingin Sanomat.
The Finnish Real Estate Federation noted that rules for shared spaces should be agreed upon by the housing company’s board while ensuring equal treatment for all residents (Ilta-Sanomat). While the laundry room remains physically accessible on Sundays, the machines are programmed not to operate, preventing residents from starting wash cycles.
Abdirahman Mohamud Yusuf, a visitor to the building, expressed surprise at the rule. “This feels somehow really outdated. Sunday is usually the day when you have time to do laundry after the weekday rush,” he told Helsingin Sanomat (Iltalehti).
The use of communal laundry rooms has risen in recent years, partly due to high electricity prices. Shared machines are often more energy-efficient than household appliances, making them a cost-effective option for many residents (Ilta-Sanomat). However, the Sunday ban means residents must either do their laundry at home or adjust their schedules to comply with the housing company’s rules.