The rustle in the basement and garbage in the attic: how to make the management company answer for unsanitary conditions
Attics and cellars are not “nobody’s” territory. This is the common property of all owners, and the management organization is responsible for its maintenance under the management contract. If garbage accumulates in the basement for years, and rodents rustle from there at night - this is not just unpleasant. This is a direct violation of the law.
Cleaning of premises from garbage should be carried out at least once a year, as well as at the request of residents. This is a direct requirement of the rules. If there are rats or cockroaches in the basement, the management company is obliged to carry out deratization - the destruction of rodents - or disinsection - the destruction of insects. This is not an additional service, but part of the maintenance of common property, which is already included in the monthly fee. From March 1, 2025, the Criminal Code can carry out these works only with a license or with the involvement of a specialized organization.
An important aspect is access to engineering networks. The doors of attics and basements must be locked. They should indicate where the keys are stored. This is a requirement of fire safety, as free access of outsiders to engineering systems is unacceptable. It is also forbidden to arrange warehouses, workshops, children's centers and industrial facilities in basements and attics. This is a direct requirement of the fire safety regulations. Administrative measures are provided for violation: warning, fine or temporary termination of the facility.
If the Criminal Code does not fulfill its duties, tenants have the right to demand a reduction in housing maintenance fees. The amount decreases in proportion to the number of days of violation. The main condition is to fix the fact of violation in the inspection act. If the Criminal Code has not checked the application, it is possible to draw up an act unilaterally. It must be signed by at least two owners and the chairman of the house council.
You can contact the management company in writing or orally. The application must necessarily be registered. Within two working days, the management organization is obliged to send a notice with the date of receipt, registration number and the decision taken - satisfaction of the claim or refusal with an explanation of the reasons.
