Five ways to help reduce the amount in utilities payments by 50-70%
After another increase in utility tariffs, many are looking for ways to save money. We understand how to legally reduce the amount in payments, issue benefits and not overpay for services that you do not use.
Monthly receipts of housing make you sigh harder. However, experts believe that it is quite possible to legally reduce costs by 30-40%, and in some cases by 50-70%. The main thing is to know your rights and not to ignore the available support measures. Here are five ways to ease the financial burden.
1. Go to the meters
If you pay according to the standard, and live alone or two, you are guaranteed to overpay. Installation of individual water and electricity meters cuts off increasing coefficients. It is only important not to forget to transfer the readings on time and monitor the verification dates, otherwise the accruals will automatically return to average or normative values.
2. Get a subsidy
The state helps those who are “eating” too much of the budget. The federal threshold for receiving assistance is 22% of the total family income, but in regions it is often lower (for example, 10% in Moscow or 14% in St. Petersburg). You can submit an application through the MFC, social protection bodies or the portal “State Services”.
3. Check eligibility for benefits
Veterans, disabled people and large families have a legal right to compensation for part of the expenses. Many simply do not know about it or forget to reissue documents in a timely manner. Check your status on the regional portal of public services - it can save thousands of rubles per month.
4. Make a recalculation during the absence
Have you gone on vacation or business trip for more than 5 consecutive days? If there are no meters in the apartment (and they are technically impossible to put), you have the right to demand a recalculation for water, sanitation and gas. You will need tickets or a certificate from the hotel, and the application must be submitted within 30 days after returning.
5. Fight against errors and poor quality services
Carefully study each line of the receipt. Oversized area? Extra registered tenants? Request corrections. If the batteries are barely warm, call a representative of the management company, draw up an act of violation and safely demand recalculation for poor-quality heating.
Maximum savings are achieved with a combination of all these measures, especially if you have not previously enjoyed the benefits.
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