To put it briefly: every single day. By working closely together, ensuring availability of facilities and by maintaining preparedness.
Defence Properties Finland ensures that the facilities intended for national defence are ready for use in all security situations. We are responsible for the Defence Administration’s properties, their maintenance and for organising services. Responsibility, energy and security aspects are focused in the centrally provided services, which include:
- Environmental expert services
- Maintenance services
- Construction management and protective technology
Each administration unit in the Finnish Defence Forces has its own designated property manager at Defence Properties Finland who is responsible for service provision in the unit. Watch the video to see what Property Manager Mikko Rissanen, who works in Karelia Air Command, means when he says he works for the whole Finland.
Effective, transparent customer service at the local level
Property managers at Defence Properties Finland act as active local expert ”combat partners” in managing Defence Forces’ facilities. The model delivers many practical advantages of which two outweigh the others:
1. Prompt response to acute needs
Operations are streamlined when the decision-makers responsible for properties and service provision are all on the spot. This allows prompt repairs and procurements allocated to properties. Matters are taken care of straightaway.
Close cooperation makes everyday operations easier as well as the longer term achievement of goals. Defence Properties Finland people support strategic leadership of the Finnish Defence Forces by developing facilities as a whole, long term, supporting core capabilities and economically efficiently.
2. Flexibility and predictability by a central government gross rent model
The gross rent model means that Defence Properties Finland does not make a profit from rental income but aims for a break-even result. Rent is charged only to the extent that it covers all the costs, renovation, maintenance, loans and real estate taxes, arising from the property.
The system divides the costs allocated to properties transparently and predictably. This makes the client’s own annual planning and budgeting easier since they don’t need to decide whether or not to repair a leaking garrison roof or whether to procure new military equipment. And when the decision is made to repair the roof, it won’t increase the rent.