Leningrad residents told how to reduce housing costs during the New Year holidays

If you plan to leave for the New Year holidays and do not want to pay for utilities, this will not work. Even in an empty apartment continue to charge for heating, housing and overhaul. However, it is possible to reduce some costs and achieve recalculation for individual services. The longer you stay away, the more you can save. The journalists of the portal 360.ru learned from the expert, what you can pay less for and how to properly issue documents.

Utilities for which you can not pay during vacation

The legislation of the Russian Federation provides an opportunity to reduce payments for certain utilities in the event of a long absence of tenants in the apartment. According to Dmitry Bondar, a public figure and expert on housing and communal services, it is necessary to be absent for more than five full calendar days in a row.

“To reduce the amount in payments for housing and communal services during the holidays or a long departure is quite realistic,” says Bondar.

The right to recalculate is enshrined in Section VIII of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354. In determining the period of absence, the day of departure and the day of return are not taken into account.

If, for example, the family left the place of residence on December 31 and returned on January 11, then only ten full days will be counted for recalculation - from January 1 to January 10 inclusive.

The ability to reduce payments depends on the availability of utilities and metering devices. With serviceable meters, payment for water and gas is based on actual consumption. If there are no meters, recalculation is possible only with a confirmed technical impossibility of installing them (an act is needed). When water costs are reduced, water disposal will be recalculated.

Electricity: Temporary absence does not give the right to recalculation under Decree No. 354. However, you can reduce costs by turning off unused devices.

Why do you still have to pay for an empty apartment?

Even if tenants leave their apartments for a few months, individual lines in the payment will remain unchanged.

According to Bondar, the law prohibits the revision of contributions for major repairs, heating, maintenance of common property and general household needs. These items of expenses the owner of the property is obliged to pay in any case, regardless of whether he lives in the apartment or not.

Thus, a spacious apartment does not always provide significant savings on vacation. Significant costs can be associated with heating and housing maintenance, which continue to be charged even when the owner is absent.

The same goes for country houses: even if the owners aren’t there for a long time, heating systems, pumps, and safety equipment can continue to function.

Is it possible to recalculate the amount for waste disposal services?

There is a special rule regarding the management of municipal solid waste (MSW). In accordance with paragraph 86(1) of Resolution No. 354, in the absence of more than five consecutive calendar days in the living room, citizens have the right to recalculate the garbage collection fee.

However, the methods of calculating fees for MSW may vary depending on the region. In some cases, the fee depends on the number of residents, in others - on the area of the room.