Eluruumid

Eluruumid are spaces within a dwelling that are intended for everyday living. In Estonian building practice, eluruumid typically include bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens that are used as part of daily living. Areas such as bathrooms, toilets, hallways, corridors, storage rooms, and balconies are generally considered non-eluruumid, though a kitchen that is used as a combined living space can function as an eluruum within the dwelling.

Characteristics of eluruumid include suitability for occupancy with appropriate heating, ventilation, natural light, and safe access to the outside. Rooms are usually separated by walls and have doors, and they provide essential spaces for sleeping, cooking, eating, and relaxing. The presence of windows and proper egress for emergencies are typical requirements in housing standards.

Regulatory context: In Estonia, the term eluruum is used in housing and building regulations to classify spaces inside a dwelling. It informs calculations of living area for property listings, energy performance certificates, and taxation, and can influence planning and renovation decisions. The exact definition and treatment of eluruumid can vary between regulations and over time, aligning with safety, habitability, and energy efficiency standards.

Usage and significance: For buyers, renters, and professionals, the number and size of eluruumid help describe a home’s layout and livability. In real estate, eluruumide arv and the overall living area are key descriptors in floor plans and contracts, reflecting how a dwelling organizes private and shared living spaces.