Apartment improvements

In AYY housing, residents have the opportunity to make their home reflect their personal style.

AYY supports home improvements by providing vouchers for paints and painting supplies, fully funded by the student union. On this page, you will find instructions for painting your apartment and acquiring furniture.

Painting apartments

AYY offers residents the opportunity to paint one feature wall. In AYY housing, this is a one-time benefit, even if you live in multiple apartments.

Things to consider when painting walls:

Floor and ceiling must not be painted.
Radiators, power sockets, and skirting boards must not be painted.
You are only allowed to use the paint included in the payment voucher package.
Doors and window frames must not be painted.

If you notice any defects in your apartment, you must submit a defect report to the maintenance company.

Defect report instructions

In new properties and those recently renovated, walls must not be painted before the two-year warranty period has ended.

Paints and painting supplies can be collected from Olari or Herttoniemi Stark. A detailed list of the painting package contents is available on the payment voucher form. Please select only the products you need. For example, if there are no holes in the feature wall, you will not need filler or a spatula.

It is recommended to review the wall painting instructions to ensure a high-quality result. You can find guidelines for painting a feature wall online.

Environmental-friendly paints

Please choose paints with an environmental label or certification, such as the EU Ecolabel or the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Responsible painting also includes proper waste management. Plan ahead to estimate the amount of paint needed, minimizing leftover paint reduces environmental impact.

Apply for a payment voucher for paints

How to recycle leftover paint

To recycle and dispose of leftover paint responsibly and help protect the environment, follow these tips:

Offer leftover paint to neighbors or friends.
Empty metal cans should be placed in the metal collection bin, and plastic cans should be disposed of in the energy waste bin.
Paint cans containing liquid paint are considered hazardous waste and should be delivered to a hazardous waste collection point. These include municipal waste management collection points or Sortti stations, for example.
It is prohibited to pour liquid paint waste down a drain, into nature, or into a regular waste container. Improper disposal of hazardous waste harms the environment. For further guidance, the HSY waste guide provides instructions and helps you locate the nearest waste collection point: HSY waste guide.
Dry paint waste can be disposed of with mixed waste. Small amounts of liquid paint can be dried by opening the lid and allowing the paint to evaporate.

Hanging artwork and installing shelves

Nail holes and picture hooks are considered normal wear and tear in rental housing, so light objects can be hung on the walls within reason. However, if larger modifications are made, such as installing sturdier fasteners for shelves or a TV, these alterations must be restored to their original condition, and the walls must be cleaned upon departure.

Floor work

All floor work in the apartments is the responsibility of AYY’s Real Estate Sector. Residents are not permitted to install new laminate flooring in the apartment. If the floor is in particularly poor condition, please contact AYY’s Real Estate Sector.

Furniture

All AYY apartments are unfurnished and do not include furniture such as beds, tables, or ceiling lights. However, they do include all fixed furnishings in the bathroom and kitchen (sink, fridge, stove, etc.). You can find affordable and free furniture from recycling centres, @aaltomarketplace Telegram group, or Teekkari Village’s Market Facebook group.