What can you store on the balcony of a rental home?

In most apartment buildings, there’s a balcony – the number one hangout spot in the summer. But what should you do with your balcony furniture and decorations when winter arrives? And is it allowed to use a rental apartment balcony for things like storing car tyres or as extra storage space? We checked with a legal expert to find out what the law says on the matter.

“From a legal perspective, the key considerations when it comes to balcony storage are fire safety and keeping emergency access routes clear,” explains Paula Suomela, Lead Legal Counsel at SATO, who has spent 10 years working in property and construction. “Regulations governing residential properties and building standards are constantly evolving. In particular, there are binding laws relating to the safety of residential buildings that must be taken into account.”

But first, let’s take a look at what is allowed to be stored on a balcony.

Is it worth moving your balcony furniture into storage for the winter?

The frames of summer furniture can be left on the balcony over winter if there’s no room for them in storage. Make sure to protect them in a way that allows air circulation and shields them from moisture, sunlight, snow and dust. Be careful to avoid moisture build-up on any surfaces.

Anything that’s sensitive to moisture should not be left outside on the balcony for the winter months.

All textiles and cushions should be taken indoors and stored in a warm space. The humidity in outdoor air will quickly ruin them, especially when the sun and warm temperatures are no longer helping to dry them out. Mould stains and musty smells can develop in materials that have deteriorated.

You can store plant pots and grow boxes on your balcony, but make sure that water doesn’t collect inside them. Terracotta pots should also be emptied of soil to prevent them from cracking in freezing temperatures.

Can heavy items be stored on the balcony?

“Anything stored on a balcony must be kept within the railings. The items stored there must not exceed the load-bearing capacity of the balcony or cause damage to its structures,” reminds SATOs Suomela. “So please don’t install grow beds weighing dozens of kilos – they may place too much strain on the structure.”

“Don’t store your car tyres on the balcony, even if there’s room. They pose both a weight and a fire safety risk.” The best place for tyre storage is a dedicated tyre hotel, but you may also store four summer or winter tyres in your designated storage unit.

“Gas cylinders or anything else flammable or easily ignitable must not be stored on balconies or in storage units,” says Suomela.

“And as trendy as cold dips may be, you cannot place a cold water tub or hot tub on the balcony. Balconies are not designed to support the weight of hundreds of kilos of water,” Suomela notes. “Emptying the tub can also cause major issues, especially during winter.”

Keep any lightweight items that could be blown away off the balcony, as they may pose a danger if they fall to ground level.

A balcony is, above all, a space for relaxing. If an item has its own storage space, that’s where it should be kept. This applies to outdoor equipment, pushchairs and bicycles alike.

Suomela offers a handy rule of thumb: “Keep your balcony a balcony, and store items in storage!”

Safety first

In an apartment building, you're not only responsible for your own safety but also indirectly for the day-to-day safety of your neighbours.

Suomela reminds us of something you might not have considered: “In an emergency, a balcony can serve as an escape route from the home, so it must always be kept passable.”

Make sure any emergency hatches on your balcony are easy to open and free from obstruction so that your neighbours or emergency services can access them from the floor above in case of fire, for example.

Every residential building is part of the streetscape, and as such, should reflect the architect’s vision as defined by the building regulations. Any changes made to a balcony can affect not only its appearance but also its structural integrity and safety.

“Any alterations to the balcony, such as painting or drilling, must always be approved through OmaSATO if you live in one of our rental homes,” Suomela stresses. “As a rule, no structural modifications or changes to the colour scheme of the building are permitted without SATO’s permission.”

Is it a good idea to store dog food on the balcony?

No one wants pests or wild animals that cause damage or leave droppings to become unwelcome neighbours. That’s why no food items that could attract animals should be stored on balconies. Even bags of dry pet food aren’t always airtight, and the constantly changing temperatures and humidity levels are no good for their contents.

Feeding birds on balconies is also not allowed for the same reason. However, birds do benefit greatly from winter feeding – you can find local bird feeding spots near your building by asking bird enthusiasts or searching local social media forums.

Suomela concludes with one final reminder: “If your balcony has a glass railing, anything you store there will be visible to passers-by and your neighbours. So keep your balcony tidy and clutter-free – a space where you can always enjoy fresh air and that’s pleasant to look at from the outside too.”

What can be stored on a SATOhome balcony?

• Summer furniture, plants, outdoor rugs, decorative lights and accessories

• Lightweight plant containers, grow boxes and hanging pots, as long as a ceiling hook is already in place

What cannot be stored on a SATOhome balcony?

• Car tyres and heavy items

• Large amounts of goods or storage boxes

• Remember that the balcony is an emergency escape route and must always remain passable

• Flammable or easily ignitable materials

These guidelines are general. Always check the specific rules and any restrictions in place for your building. If you live in a SATOhome, all guidelines are available on OmaSATO.

 

This content has been translated with the help of generative AI. Tämä sisältö on käännetty generatiivisen tekoälyn avulla.