IN modern world, as always, the payment for residential premises and utilities remains relevant. The constant housing wars between residents and their management company are endless. This misunderstanding occurs due to the fact that the service provision sector is fraught with many ambiguities, residents do not know their rights, and there is no one to explain them to.
There are many different names for paying for existing residential premises: rent, maintenance, payment for everything housing services, the rate of management organizations. The cost of major repairs and full maintenance of premises includes various services and a variety of works for the maintenance of public property apartment building.
The existing non-residential premises of the entire apartment building are calculated in a similar amount. Quite often, management organizations inflate payments for the maintenance of non-residential areas, as well as general house needs, justifying themselves by the fact that these premises are visited by a large number of people. The Housing Code of the Russian Federation considers these actions unlawful and a direct violation of the entire current law of the Russian Federation.
Housing utilities refer to activities aimed at creating the most comfortable living conditions for residents apartment buildings. All consumers are required to know exactly what is included in the list of services provided. utilities and satisfies their general house needs.
According to the requirements introduced in 2012, the following have the right to use the provided utilities:
- all residents of the high-rise building and their families;
- persons who received their housing from cooperative organizations;
- all tenants of residential premises;
- tenants renting a room or apartment.
The very concept of these “utilities” has the following general house needs:
The list of all utilities directly depends on the actual amenities of a particular apartment building. In the case where the room does not have a sewerage system, it should not be counted as a service already provided.
Payment for living quarters and utilities has some items that complement general house needs:
- lighting;
- cleaning and ensuring sanitation in all public areas (entrance, stairs) and the land adjacent to the house;
- waste site cleaning, removal Wastewater and generated waste;
- Implementation of landscaping of areas that are part of the house;
- expenses for current, overhaul and full maintenance of the building;
- preparing a high-rise building for seasonal use (heating, insulation);
- costs involving the maintenance of public home property;
- Payments also include inspection of all premises and all related activities.
- Among other things, the disposal of wastewater occupies a separate place in its importance:
- drainage and collection of wastewater ( rainwater, collector, sewer network, etc.);
- wastewater treatment using various existing methods.
Recently, strict monitoring of wastewater disposal cost calculations has been carried out. Wastewater treatment using various methods is provided in houses of any type. IN multi-storey buildings, wastewater removal is carried out continuously and properly.
Determining the amount of payment for housing services.
Payment for content various rooms must be established in accordance with the law.
In the event that the provision of services does not comply with the law or the provision of services with long interruptions, all changes in payment are calculated in accordance with the established procedure.
General household needs, certain utilities, the procedure for their payment. The article “payment for residential premises and utilities” was changed by law in 2012. Thus, if previously heating, its total consumption was divided by the combined sum of all areas of the premises, now heating, its consumption is divided by the sum of the areas of exclusively residential and non-residential areas, not counting public ones, as a result of which the standard has increased. If a heating meter is installed in an apartment building, the calculation is much easier. The costs do not include heating that went past the house. In this case, the owners pay for the received heating upon delivery.
Residents were charged for public heating (entrances). Also, from now on there is no need to pay for the volume of water that was used to water the lawns. General water standards suggest calculating services in a new way, taking into account certain standards: 90 liters per person monthly.
Companies are required to reduce service losses. General house needs in terms of volume must be used within normal limits, and if they are exceeded, then the management companies themselves must pay the entire difference, but in no case the owners. If the contractor is the resource supplier, the entire difference is divided equally between the residents of the house, taking into account the living space available to them.
How to determine improper provision of services? In a situation where housing services are provided with poor quality (there is no heating, the elevator does not work), the contractor does not respond or there is no way to call him, any consumer can independently establish the fact of a gross violation of consumer rights. For this purpose, an act is drawn up in the presence of the chairman of the house council of two more neighbors. The period of poor service provision is calculated from the very moment of signing this act.
If utility workers do not carry out repairs at the entrance or do not clean the area adjacent to the house, the following actions can be taken:
A correct contract for the quality provision of all utilities. Absolutely all residents are required to know what exactly is included in a correct contract for the provision of public services and the procedure for drawing it up.
The management company can enter into an appropriate agreement if the user intends to consume housing services or uses them. The rules establish a period when the contractor is obliged to provide all services or demand payment. Regardless of the type of property, each organization must provide the tenant’s general house needs in a high-quality manner; it cannot prevent the user from including any services in the concluded agreement that allow them to provide high level improvement of this house.
For tenants of a certain premises, a lease agreement must be drawn up. If the contract does not comply with the latest innovations, it is concluded in accordance with all new rules and taking into account the necessary conditions.
Payment for housing and utilities: how to reduce utility costs
Situations often arise when it is no longer possible to remain silent in a dispute with your management company and you need to protect your consumer rights. A few simple steps can help here:
- by requesting an official request regarding all tariffs for all expense items, you can find out what exactly is included in the specified list of provided utility services, as well as what exactly the consumer pays for and what services provided are not fully received;
- draw up the necessary act for all housing services that have not been provided over the last month, inviting an employee of your management organization;
- together with an employee of the organization (it is possible without him), it is necessary to draw up a specific claim act and collect as much as possible large quantity residents' signatures;
- submit a corresponding application to the organization for recalculation of all services, with the documents attached;
- if utility companies refuse to carry out recalculation, you must file a complaint directly with the department specializing in the protection of all consumer rights;
- Few people know that the owner has every right to completely refuse some housing services. One of these services is the care and cleaning of stairs.
Payment for housing and utilities is a rather complex topic for common man, but knowing the rules, tariffs and your rights, you can reduce your costs for housing services, henceforth paying for the amount that was actually used.
For the average person, the news about an increase in utility tariffs is associated with an increase in the numbers in the receipt for all items in the “Payable” column. Such illiteracy in the housing issue turns into a new stream of negativity towards the faceless “everyone and everyone.” It is clear that in order to read a book, you need to know the letters and be able to combine them into syllables, and syllables into words. Likewise, awareness of the housing issue begins with the basics - understanding the “foundation” of the housing and communal services industry. The new section is a kind of alphabet for those who want to figure it out. In this article we will look at what services and who increases tariffs.
When we are once again informed about an increase in utility tariffs, this affects the following items on the receipt: cold and hot water supply, sewerage, electricity supply, heat supply, gas supply. Tariffs for them are set and controlled by the state.
There is a limit on utility bills
Housing services are activities related to the operation of a house, improving and maintaining the comfort of living and maintaining the facility in good condition. Housing services are paid based on the area of each resident's apartment. The cost of housing services is approved by the owners of the apartment building at general meeting.
According to the document, “maximum maximum indices” for changes in the size of citizens’ payments for utilities, starting in 2014, will be established by the Government of the Russian Federation for a period of at least five years, taking into account the growth rate of energy prices and other parameters. Regional characteristics will also be taken into account, with a calendar breakdown and differentiation by type of heating of residential premises.
What is included in the list of housing and communal services provided to citizens of the Russian Federation
- according to the readings of the individual meter, payments for utilities are calculated in each individual apartment;
- a part of the amount spent on general house needs is added to the individual amount, which is calculated according to the testimony of the administrative budget.
According to current laws, when supplying electricity to the end consumer, the permitted interruption cannot last more than two hours per month in the presence of two independent energy sources and no more than a day - in the presence of one source.
The difference between public services and housing
Tariff for housing services for tenants of municipal apartments are established by local authorities. And the owners of apartments in a multi-apartment residential building (in which a homeowners’ association or a housing cooperative or other specialized consumer cooperative has not been created) approve it at a general meeting, taking into account the proposals of the Management Company, and establish it for a period of at least one year.. If the owners do not If they find a compromise with the management company and do not make a decision, the tariff established for municipal apartments will be applied.
— housing services- these include the maintenance of the common property of an apartment building (stairs, attics, basements, landings, elevators, communications), services and work for managing an apartment building, Maintenance- they make up the second part of the payment.
What is the difference between utilities and housing services?
Drainage. Sewage disposal should also be carried out around the clock - through centralized networks and in-house systems. Sewage systems should be in most living areas of the house. If a residential premises does not have a centralized sewerage system, then it should not be taken into account in the list of utilities.
Heating. Thermal energy should be supplied to houses, apartments and non-residential premises centrally. Residents were deducted from paying for common heating costs. There is no need to pay for heating an entrance where there are no radiators. In 2013, new changes were made that relate to the rules for the provision of utility services. Regulatory coefficients were introduced for those who are in no hurry to install individual metering devices. For such owners, increased standards have been introduced for all types of utilities. Every six months the payment increases. As a result, the excess will reach 60%.
Housing and communal services
Contrary to the opinion of some homeowners, housing services are not subject to tariff regulation. Their cost is approved by the owners of the apartment building at a general meeting. Wherein Management Company or the HOA may try to “protect” the rate offered to residents.
4. Current repairs - housing service, which does not include renovation work of a major nature, but at the same time minor faults in the house are eliminated. These works do not include the elimination of housing and communal services accidents and their consequences (unscheduled repairs) and work to prepare the house for winter (scheduled preventative repairs)
What are public services: consumers, performers and legislation
Comfortable living conditions in modern house or apartment is impossible to imagine without the provision of quality and stable utility services by suppliers. Thanks to them, housing is provided with electricity, gas, heat, water and other benefits. Utility services are not free, but payment must correspond to the level of service.
A consumer is a person who feels the need for comfortable living conditions, it is for him that heat and gas supply systems, sewerage systems work, every service that provides normal sanitary and hygienic and performance characteristics living space. The concept of consumer is related to the concept of performer.
Housing and communal services (HCS)
Yes, Maintenance Elevators and garbage removal are indeed included in the structure of the tariff for the maintenance and repair of housing. Talk to your HOA about deciphering the payment receipt. It is possible that separate columns for “Elevator” and “MSW” are simply a way to make the composition of this tariff “transparent” for residents.
4. Current repairs - a housing service that does not involve major repairs, but at the same time minor defects in the house are eliminated. These works do not include the elimination of housing and communal services accidents and their consequences (unscheduled repairs) and work to prepare the house for winter (scheduled preventative repairs) 7 .
05 Aug 2018 699Hard to imagine modern life without many of the benefits of civilization. Even if they are not always at the level we would like, many people have them. And one of them is utilities. What does it include? How important are they for maintaining living standards? And for hygiene and from a medical point of view? We will talk about this in this article.
general information
So, what are utilities? Does this include everything that is considered “by default”, or are there specific points? For most citizens of the Russian Federation, housing and communal services are a dark forest. This is sad. After all, not all employees of the relevant structures are distinguished by honesty and conscientiousness, and as a result, the citizens themselves suffer from their own legal illiteracy. Alas, but the legislation Russian Federation is designed in such a way that in order to use your own rights you must be aware of them and also seek to fulfill them. Therefore, it often happens that completely legal requirements are not met due to ignorance. As a result, you have to overpay for government services or not receive the benefits you are entitled to.
The only way out at the moment is to improve your own legal education. For many, this state of affairs may seem quite complicated, but once you want to figure it out, you will see that this is not so. After all, there are many pleasant moments here. But let's figure out what these are utilities. Do they include everything we think they do?
What's not to like?
One has only to mention housing and communal services, and many people begin to cringe. Some people remember long queues (fortunately, this problem is being significantly solved thanks to the virtualization of the payment process and e-commerce), others - about significant deception. Many people are faced with bills that are several times more than they need. This happens because housing and communal services employees, making mistakes or relying on our carelessness, issue bills for services that are not used. Therefore, after reading this article, you will be able to:
- Give reasons for recalculating payment for services provided.
- Competently draw up a plan for a private house when conducting individual housing construction.
- Receive subsidies and benefits to improve living conditions.
What are utilities?
What's this? This concept includes providing citizens with the basic goods necessary for comfortable living. The legislation of the Russian Federation stipulates that they must be in every house and apartment. What is included in utilities? The list is attached:
- Bath or shower, as well as a sink or sink with a working faucet.
- Electricity and sockets according to established standards.
- Sewerage.
- A heating system that functions without failure. Moreover, this does not include electrical heating appliances. That is, if there is no battery and a portable heater is used, then you can apply for a subsidy.
Speaking in proper legal language, these were the means of providing services. What's the difference here? Well, let's find out. Not all services are required. Some of them relate to optional features. What is included in utilities? The list of optional ones is attached:
- Gas supply.
- Hot water supply.
The right to choose one of the two or both at once is provided. Let's look at three small examples:
- Gas supply should be registered in cases where there is equipment that works on gas fuel. After all, if the stove runs on electricity, then what is it for?
- Those people who have a hot water supply installed in their bathroom can refuse hot water supply. gas-burner. This device allows you to quickly and easily heat water to the required temperature. As you might guess, it runs on gas. It should be noted high speed heating
- If there gas stove, but there is no burner, then both services should be connected. But this is an extremely unprofitable option. Although it is quite common.
Mandatory services. What to do if they are disabled?
Earlier we talked about means. What is included in utilities? Their list looks like this:
- Heating system.
- Cold water supply.
- Electricity.
- Sewerage.
If the house does not have one of these amenities, then citizens have the right to write to the prosecutor's office and submit an application for damages. Receiving services from the above lists is legal right each person. But you should pay attention: if you do not pay for housing and communal services for a long time (usually this means a period of six months), then you will be deprived of the right to receive them. Such sanctions can be imposed in relation to both individual apartments and entire houses.
But what to do if there is a payment, but one of the required services was disabled without explanation for a significant period? In this case, a person can claim a refund of part of the money that was paid. To do this, you must issue a recalculation. In essence, it represents compensation for services not provided if planned work was not announced. Let's look at a small example. Warms us in winter heating system without a meter (that is, payment is made according to the tariff). From January 26 to February 4 there was no heating. But the bill will come in in full as if there had been no break. In this case, the citizen should contact the housing and communal services office that owns the house and write an application for recalculation. And next month you will receive a reduced heating bill as compensation for the inconvenience. So we looked at what is included in the payment of utility services from the point of view of legislation.
What is fixed at the national level?
Initially, it should be noted that from the point of view of legislation, housing and communal services are divided according to their own:
- The procedure for approving tariffs/prices.
- Functional purpose.
In the first case, three groups are distinguished:
- First. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved by authorized central executive authorities.
- Second group. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved by authorized local government bodies within the jurisdictional territory.
- Third group. This includes housing and communal services, tariffs/prices for which are approved exclusively within the framework of contracts concluded between the parties.
Depending on the functional purpose, the legislation divides into:
- Public utilities. This includes centralized hot and cold water supply, drainage, electricity and gas supply, heating, and household waste removal.
- Maintenance services for houses, buildings and surrounding areas. This means cleaning premises and areas, maintaining the operability of networks, elevators, lighting, routine repairs and sanitary maintenance.
- Services for managing a building, a house or a group of them. This includes maintaining balance sheets, concluding contracts and monitoring their implementation.
- Repair services for premises, structures and houses. This refers to the replacement, strengthening or reconstruction of networks and individual elements, restoration of bearing capacity.
Here's what's included in your utility bills. Of course, this is not all information on the law. It also specifies the procedure for access. responsible persons in the event of an accident or emergency, and the same minimum standards, as well as the procedure for the provision of public services.
A small retreat
So, housing maintenance is included in utilities. Moreover, this means not just performing duties for show, but providing high-quality comfortable living conditions. Knowing what is included in the concept of “utilities”, it is much easier to be aware of what the payment orders that come to us every month should be. But at the same time, there are quite a large number of specific points.
About rent
Currently, housing is not allocated to every young family or promising specialist. Therefore, the question of what is included in utilities when renting is increasingly being asked. In a standard situation, if an agreement is concluded between the owner and the guest, it is stipulated that the latter will pay all invoices received. Further, the situation will be considered from the position that interaction takes place in the legal field. In other words, an agreement was concluded and the relevant authorities were informed about it.
In this case, the tenant can demand that the utility services fulfill their obligations, which they must fulfill, in full. That is, if there is a break in heating in winter, while the “tariff” interaction scheme is in effect, a person has every right to contact the housing and communal services department to demand compensation. You can use the concluded agreement to confirm your rights. Otherwise, housing and communal services employees may ask on what basis he requires this. And even call the police, who will record the conduct of an unregistered entrepreneurial activity- delivery of property - with all the ensuing consequences. To avoid such moments, in the absence of contracts, you can agree with the owner that utilities are included in the rent, and he independently provides and pays for them.
Making claims
Let's look at how interaction is carried out with representatives of housing and communal services. In the event of violations of the agreed terms of the contract, the consumer can contact the structure to draw up a claim act, which notes the deadlines, indicators, and types of deviations. Theoretically, you can call a housing and communal services representative if this is provided for in the contract. And he will have to appear on time, as provided for in this document. After this, the claim act is jointly drawn up and confirmed with signatures. If the performer’s representative refuses to put his autograph on the document, then it is necessary for at least two consumers to confirm its veracity. Otherwise it will be declared invalid.
After this, the claim act is transferred to the executor. And he must decide within three days whether to recalculate payments or issue a written refusal to the consumer, which will contain the justification for not satisfying his claims. In the latter case, you can try to solve the problem through the court. At the same time, the possibility of pre-trial resolution of the dispute remains open. If it is determined that the contractor performed his tasks poorly, evaded direct responsibilities, although the maintenance of housing is included in the utilities, he will have to correct everything. In such cases, you can also claim some compensation. This involves checking cost indicators, quality of services, etc., depending on the object of the claim.
Control
It is not enough to know what is included in housing and communal services. It is also necessary to monitor the work of housing and communal services. In general, there are good opportunities for this in the Russian Federation. But again you need to know about this. Every citizen has the right to be familiar with what services are included in public utilities, what is provided to him, what money is spent on, and in what volume. Having the data, he can compare it with offers on the market, analyze the work of different departments of housing and communal services, in order to record violations or simply suspicious deviations if something happens. If they are identified, having information documents in hand, you can contact the prosecutor’s office to investigate the possible abuse. In general, to maintain the situation at a more or less decent level, it is enough for one person out of several hundred to be active. But to bring the situation to a high level, everyone must be concerned about where the funds are spent, what we pay.
Conclusion
So we looked at the topic of the article. Now everyone knows that water supply, heating, sewerage and electricity are included in utilities. It’s not for nothing that they say that knowledge is power. For truly they provide significant opportunities to protect their rights. This article will most likely serve as a start for a new person. Because knowing what you can claim, you begin to act. Those who understand what is rightfully theirs can fight to see that it is realized or even further expanded. And along with this, the level of comfort in life will increase, which will have a good effect on each of us. You should not deviate from the opportunities provided; this is a good start to a better life.
