If the batteries are cold and the bills remain high: what to do to reduce the costs of poor service

Many Ukrainians are familiar with the situation in which bills for heating and utilities arrive in full, but the heating or utilities remain cold or are provided improperly. It is important to note that, in the event of poor performance of the heating system, the consumer has the right to demand a recalculation of payments or a reduction in the amount. Experts confirm this information.

Lawyer Andriy Shelykh notes that Ukrainian legislation clearly regulates the rights of consumers in the field of housing and communal services; therefore, in the event of heating problems, there is a mechanism for resolving the issue.

According to the Law of Ukraine “On Housing and Communal Services”, the consumer has the right to timely and high-quality provision of these services in accordance with the concluded contract. If the room temperature does not meet the standards or the batteries do not provide heat, this is grounds for recalculation.

How to initiate recalculation

To start the process of reducing the amount of the payment, it is necessary:

Ensure that the improper provision of the service is recorded. It is recommended to write an appeal to the supplier or manager requesting an inspection. “If the temperature in the apartment during the heating season is below 18 degrees, you can contact the carrier to record the violations,” said Andriy Shelykh.
After the inspection, draw up a complaint act signed by the consumer and a company representative. “The complaint act is drawn up based on the results of the service quality inspection,” says the lawyer.
If the complaints are ignored, contact the court or state authorities. If the supplier does not respond to your demands, you can file a complaint with the consumer protection authorities or file a lawsuit in court to have the bill reviewed.
Under current legislation, the consumer has the right to a reduction in the heating fee if the apartment’s temperature falls below the established standards. For example, if the temperature remains below 18 °C for a long time, this is considered improper performance of the utility service. In this case, the charges are revised according to the duration of the violation.

This topic is especially relevant due to numerous problems with the launch of central heating, wear and tear on heating networks, and uneven connections of houses to the heat supply. This means that heating is not provided correctly, even though payments are generated without change.

Previously, we reported on ways to save on utility bills through “Privat24”, as well as on power outages in emergencies and in regions where gas restrictions may apply.