Index of real estate maintenance costs: documentation of statistics

The index of real estate maintenance costs covers descriptions of the cost development of the maintenance of real estate located in Finland.

The data of Statistics Finland's other indices are used in the index of real estate maintenance costs. These include the Consumer Price Index, producer price indices for services, Building Cost Index, Labour Cost Index and volume index of newbuilding.

The statistics do not have a regional classification but the data concern the development of the maintenance costs of real estate in the whole country.

Data on the cost index of maintenance of real estate by type of building have been published quarterly and annually starting from 2000. Data by cost item and function type have been produced since 2010.

The base year of the time of real estate maintenance costs is 2015 (2015=100).

The data of the index of real estate maintenance costs are published as index point figures. Change percentages are also calculated based on the indices on the quarterly and annual level.

The reference period of the index of real estate maintenance costs is one quarter. The statistics are released six months from the end of the statistical reference year.

The maintenance costs of real estate consist of management and maintenance costs. Real estate management costs refer to activities that maintain the conditions required for a real estate to remain operational with the help of activity monitoring and control, as well as service. Maintenance refers to regular actions that through repairs and renewals aim at maintaining a real estate and its equipment in a condition that at most corresponds with the original condition.

In the index of real estate maintenance costs, cost development is examined from two viewpoints, by cost item and by type of building in maintenance of real estate.

The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.

Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.

Further information: Statistical legislation

The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics. 

Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.  

Further information: Statistical legislation

The index of real estate maintenance costs is produced from the data of different indices. There are no data agreements directly concerning the index.

The data of Statistics Finland's other indices are used in the index of real estate maintenance costs. These include the Consumer Price Index, producer price indices for services, Building Cost Index, Labour Cost Index and volume index of newbuilding.

The data for the statistics on the index of real estate maintenance costs are collected monthly.

The data of Statistics Finland's other indices are used in the index of real estate maintenance costs. These include the Consumer Price Index, producer price indices for services, Building Cost Index, Labour Cost Index and volume index of newbuilding.

The data of the statistics are validated in the processing process by comparing the change with the data of the comparison period. Observations exceeding the threshold value are checked in a separate processing.

The data of different sub-indices are gathered together in the compilation process and the index point figure is calculated.

The change calculations of the cost level of the index of real estate maintenance costs assume that no major changes will occur in the consumption of the input headings. For example, the index does not take into account the change in heating needs caused by changes in weather conditions between different periods.

Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.

The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.

The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.

Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland

The quality of the statistics on the index of real estate maintenance costs is evaluated at different stages of the statistical process.

The index of real estate maintenance costs can also be used for long-term comparisons, when account is taken of the above-described changes in the input structure and volume over time. The average cost development indicated by the index of real estate maintenance costs can be examined relative to the data produced by other organisations operating in the real estate field.

The coverage of the renewed 2015=100 index differs from the indices of earlier base years in that it does not include real estate tax and plot rent.

Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.

The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.

Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.

The index of real estate maintenance costs is a quarterly index which is published approximately two months after the end of the reference period.

There is no delay in releasing the data of the statistics on the index of real estate maintenance costs. The data are published on the days indicated in the release calendar.

The data of the statistics on the index of real estate maintenance costs are regionally comparable for the whole country.

The data of the statistics on the index of real estate maintenance costs are comparable from 2015 onwards (2015=100).

The metadata used in the production of the statistics are available from Statistics Finland’s manufacturing, construction and housing groups.

Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland

Statistics Finland's release calendar Future publications

Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics

The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.

Further information: Publication principles for statistics

Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.

The data of the statistics are published quarterly on Statistics Finland's website. 

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The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.

The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.

Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)

The index of real estate maintenance costs follows the data protection practices of the Consumer Price Index, producer price indices for services, Building Cost Index, Labour Cost Index and volume index of newbuilding.