Cabinet resolution #1405 of December 29, 2023
Status: in effect since December 29, 2023
Who is affected: delinquent customers and public utility providers
Summary:
- it is allowed to disconnect public utilities, impose fines and fees, and collect debts for public utility services from the population
- it will still not be allowed to impose fines and fees and collect debts for public utility services in the temporarily occupied territories and active combat zones. The list of communities where these restrictions apply is approved by the Ministry for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories. These restrictions will also apply if the consumers’ real property has been damaged as a result of hostilities and they inform the respective provider of public utilities about this fact
- consumers are allowed not to pay for public utilities if they are absent for more than 30 days and have informed the service provider about this fact. To exercise this right, a person has to submit an online or paper application and documents confirming their absence. Confirmation documents include certificates of temporary residence, relocation for work, medical treatment, study, military service (including service in a foreign country), incarceration, etc.
Background information: a moratorium on the disconnection of public utilities and the imposition of penalties was introduced on March 5, 2022, due to the large-scale invasion of Russia.
What is right:
- utility providers will be able to operate and get their legitimate revenues
- the population will be motivated to responsibly consume public utility services
- the resolution takes into account that some utility customers cannot pay their bills due to being under occupation or in active combat zones.