Some Ukrainians may be legally allowed not to pay for certain utilities if their home was damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities. This refers to payment for the management of an apartment building in cases where it has become uninhabitable. The corresponding norm is included in the draft law №13155. Committee on Energy and Housing recommended adopt the document in the first reading.
The project provides for the possibility of canceling or reducing the fee for the management of an apartment building, if it has been damaged or destroyed – such a decision is made by the co-owners. It is also proposed to stop charging the fee for the housing service in the event that the accommodation has become uninhabitable or is completely destroyed. The draft law provides for keeping records of relevant losses, which in the future will allow recalculation or compensation to companies that provide services.
Exemption from payment will be valid only for the period of restoration of damaged or destroyed housing. The norm will apply to owners of individual apartments, non-residential premises and common areas. At the same time, it will be possible to use the right to exemption from payment only after conducting an official inspection of the object and receiving the corresponding act.
House management services include maintenance of multi-apartment housing and the surrounding area, carrying out current repairs, as well as the purchase of electricity for the operation of the common property.
We will remind that from January 1, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed not to pay for water supply if no one lives in the house for at least a month and there is no meter. At the same time, the government returned the assessment of penalties for debts from communal services and allowed the disconnection of debtors from communal services — with the exception of regions where active hostilities are ongoing or which are under occupation.
