In a recent ruling, the Eastern Finland Court of Appeal overturned a district court decision regarding a dispute over the sale of a log house. Initially, the court had mandated that the seller pay the buyer €145,000 in compensation due to defects in the house. However, the appellate court found the faults to be minimal and consequently reduced the compensation to just €13,000. Furthermore, the appellate court deemed that the buyer would bear the majority of the legal costs, amounting to approximately €133,000.

The log house in question was constructed about 20 years ago and changed ownership eight years prior for €193,000. Trouble began when the new owners experienced issues with cold floors and air leaks, which they attributed to construction defects. The appellate court's decision suggests that the buyer’s claims of significant structural issues were not substantiated to a degree that would warrant a higher compensation.

This ruling has significant implications for both future legal disputes over property sales in Finland and for the parties involved in this case. It highlights the importance of proving substantial construction defects in order to succeed in claims for compensation. The outcome has shifted the financial burden onto the buyer, raising concerns about consumer protection in real estate transactions in the region.