Money for Poor Quality Housing and Utility Services — When Can You Claim a Penalty.

Ukrainian consumers now have the right to demand a recalculation of the cost of housing and utility services for poor quality services. Only those who have received substandard service can make this demand.

Compensation for Poor Quality Utility Services

The Cabinet of Ministers approved Resolution No. 127, which provides for a mechanism for penalizing suppliers for undelivered or low-quality utility services. This gives consumers the right to demand a recalculation of service costs in case of absence, inadequate quality, or partial provision of utility services.

• For example, the recalculation may be conducted due to lower temperatures of the heat carrier or hot water.
• Also, in case of non-compliance with pressure norms at the entrance to the building.
• Other reasons include violations of the garbage removal schedule and others.

'The recalculation based on the claim received from the consumer of the respective apartment building is carried out by the provider for all consumers of such building who were provided with services of inadequate quality,' — it is stated in the resolution.

Penalties for Suppliers

Suppliers must recalculate service costs within the law and pay penalties to consumers in case of violation of contractual terms. These recalculations are carried out regardless of the existence of debts for services.

The funds obtained as a result of recalculation should be used to settle debts for housing and utility services or credited to future payments if there are no debts.

It is also worth remembering that in 2025, payments for the technical maintenance of gas equipment will be introduced for all homeowners connected to gas supply.

We remind you that Naftogaz provided advice on avoiding debt for consumed fuel by establishing payment rules that will help avoid this problem.

Ukrainian consumers now have the opportunity to demand a recalculation of payments for housing and utility services if they have received substandard service. The approved resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers provides for a mechanism for penalizing suppliers for poor quality services, which will give consumers the opportunity to ensure quality utility services and demand compensation in case of contract violations.