Can I make noise in an apartment building in Finland?
Within reason yes — the '10 pm law' is a myth, but house rules aren't. Finnish law sets no general quiet hours. Housing noise is judged by reasonableness: normal life (children, laundry, occasional parties) belongs in an apartment building even in the evening. The housing company's rules (typically quiet 22–07) bind residents, and repeated unreasonable disturbance can bring a warning and ultimately possession takeover or tenancy termination.
📋 The rules
- There are no statutory quiet hours — the Public Order Act targets public-place noise, not home sounds.
- House rules (e.g. quiet 22–07) bind residents under company law — breaches carry consequences.
- Assessment is reasonableness: ordinary living sounds must be tolerated, repeated and unnecessary disturbance not.
- Renovation noise belongs to daytime — notify neighbours of bigger works and follow the company's renovation hours.
- Serious or continuous disturbance: the company can warn and take over an owner's flat, or a landlord terminate a tenant's contract.
🔓 Exceptions
- One-off life events (birthdays, New Year) are tolerated more broadly — advance notice to neighbours softens things.
- Deliberate harassment (speakers against the wall) can even qualify as stalking or violating domestic peace.
⚠️ Penalties
Rule breaches bring warnings; persistent disturbance can put an owner's flat under company possession for up to 3 years or end a tenancy. Police intervene only in serious cases.
📎 Sources
- Finlex · Housing Companies Act 1599/2009 →
- Finlex · Public Order Act 612/2003 →
- Minilex · Disturbing life in an apartment building →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Must I be silent after 10 pm?
The law doesn't say so — house rules typically do. Normal living sounds are fine even then; party racket isn't.
Can I run the washing machine at night?
No law bans it, but house rules may — and reasonableness favours daytime in a poorly insulated building.
What do I do about a noisy neighbour?
Report to the property manager/board in writing and document dates and times. The company warns — repeated disturbance can end in possession takeover. Acute night noise: police.
Can neighbours complain about a crying baby?
They can complain, but nothing follows — children's sounds are ordinary living that neighbours must tolerate.
🔎 What people search
Searches that lead to this question.
- “quiet hours Finland apartment”
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