Fines for gas meters: what you can be fined for and for what amounts

Gas meters make it possible to pay only for the amount of fuel that was actually used by you. Which quite often turns out to be very beneficial to consumers. But to selection and purchase, installation and operation of the flow meter did not turn into unnecessary expenses and a headache, you should follow the rules and be guided by the letter of the law in this matter.

Agree that paying a fine for gas meters, or rather for their improper installation or use, is not the most pleasant waste of money. Avoiding multiple sanctions is easy enough. And all that is needed for this is to know and comply with the requirements of the legislation. In our article, we will talk in detail about what you can be fined for and how to act correctly in a given situation regarding the installation or operation of a gas meter.

When are gas meters fined?

Gas consumers can be punished for improper use of equipment designed to control the consumption of "blue" fuel in several situations.

So, actions or inaction of gas users can result in fines in such cases:

• in case of deliberate damage to sealsimposed by the so-called authorized officials (representatives of Gorgaz (Raygas);
• in case of failure to report a breakdown counter;
• in case of unauthorized connection of the meter to the existing gas networks;
• in case of violation of the current rules of safe use in-house gas equipment.

All of these actions can be regarded as a violation in accordance with the requirements specified in the Administrative Code and the Criminal Code. Namely in Art. 7.19, Art. 9.23, and Art. 19.2 current version Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. V The Criminal Code of the Russian Federation penalties for misuse of meters are stated in Art. 158, Art. 215.3.

And then about the above reasons in detail.

Reason # 1 - deliberate damage to seals

Intentional damage to the seals can lead to a warning or a fine, the amount of which is 100-300 rubles. Not impressed by the amount? But an insignificant fine can only become part of the sanctions, and the most insignificant. Since in a number of cases, representatives of gorgaz (raygas) have the right to consider deliberate damage to the officially installed seals on the meters, for an attempt to unaccounted for consumption.

Sanctions for these actions are provided for in Article 7.19 of the current Administrative Code. Where the specified act is called unauthorized connection to gas pipelines. For which a gas consumer who violates the requirements of the law will have to transfer 10-15 thousand rubles to the budget.

In the event that the deliberate breakdown of the seals imposed by the gas workers is recognized as a repeated unauthorized connection, the amount of the fine will be at least $ 80,000. rubles. This is stated in Art. 215.3 of the current version of the Criminal Code.

But all of the above penalties for the unaccounted use of fuel can be applied if it is proved that this violation was committed intentionally.

Reason # 2 - nMeter breakdown message

When users find out that the gas flow monitor is malfunctioning, they should immediately report to the gas distribution company.

If this is not done, then the fact that the meter is inoperable will be detected by the specialists of the gas distribution company at the very first check. And such an act can be regarded as unauthorized connection to gas pipelines. At the same time, sanctions are threatened, the sizes of which are identical to those indicated in the previous paragraph of the article.

You should be aware that a penalty for failure to report a faulty gas meter can also be imposed by misunderstanding. Practice shows that this is exactly what happens periodically if a consumer who has identified a breakdown of the control device calls 04 or any other established number of the duty services. Operators of which are obliged to transfer this information to representatives of gas distribution companies.

But sometimes, due to confusion, the necessary information is not communicated or is not provided by the duty service in full. As a result, it is believed that the arrived gas workers discovered the breakdown and, accordingly, there is a reason for imposing sanctions.

In such cases, you will have to prove your case, which is sometimes difficult. Therefore, you should not let the situation take its course, but it is better to immediately report the problem to both instances.

Reason # 3 - withunauthorized connection to gas pipelines

This type of violation was mentioned in each paragraph of the article. And this is not accidental, since consumers inflict the greatest damage to the state precisely because of the unaccounted gas consumption.

Therefore, the legislation provides for severe penalties. And almost any wrong action of the consumer, if there is intent, can lead to a fine for this act.

For a clear understanding of the situation, it should be understood that the unauthorized connection of the meter with intent is considered:

• Gas consumption in a situation when the fuel consumption monitor is installed in the structure gas pipeline on their own or with the involvement of an unskilled foreman who does not have the right to such work. According to the rules meter installation must be carried out by the official representatives of the gas distribution company followed by sealing and preparation of accounting records.
• Gas consumption when the meter does not account for the fuel used, and the consumer did not report this to the gas distribution company.
• Damage to the officially installed seal, if the consumer did not report it and continued to use the gas equipment.
• Use of any illegal methods, devices to reduce the gas consumption rates of the meter.

The peculiarity of each of these cases is self-interest. Which was not when the acts described in the previous paragraphs of the article were committed.

Moreover, self-interest is the reason that the act is considered intentional, which is the basis for calculating penalties. And many times more impressive than in most other cases.

Unauthorized connection of the meter to gas pipelines is punished in accordance with the above articles:

• Administrative Code, Art. 7.19;
• Of the Criminal Code, Art. 215.3, as well as Art. 158.

The punishment for the offender in each specific situation depends on the severity of the offense.

So, a fine will be imposed in accordance with the above article of the Administrative Code and its amount will be in the range of considerable 10-15 thousand. rubles, if a violation that can be interpreted as unauthorized connection of measuring equipment is committed:

• first;
• without collusion with others;
• without consequences in the form of accidents.

If the act of the gas consumer contradicts the characteristics specified in any of the 3 points, then it will be classified as a criminal offense. And the punishment will be imposed in accordance with Article 215.3 of the Criminal Code, which states that a person who committed an unauthorized connecting to any gas pipeline again, must pay a fine, the amount of which can reach impressive 80 thous. rubles.

In some cases, the amount of the fine may not be fixed, but equal to wages or any other income over the past six months.

The aforementioned act, committed with mercenary purposes and resulting in damage gas pipelines, equipment used with it, will lead to a fine that will have to pay off for many years. Since its size will be in the range of 400-500 thousand. rubles. In any other case, everything will end with the restriction of freedom or its deprivation.

You should know that in Art. 158, the term "unauthorized connection" no longer appears, since the offense is called "theft from a gas pipeline". For which a rather impressive fine is provided. So the offender will have to part with at least a hundred thousand rubles. And the maximum size is set at around half a million rubles.

The penalty of the indicated sizes may be replaced by another penalty. Namely, the culprit will have to transfer his income to the state (for example, wages) for 1-3 years. In this case, payments are made in parts, the amount of which will be equal to the percentage of the actual income established by the court or a fixed amount.

It should also be remembered that most of the methods of unauthorized connection are dangerous for the life of the offender himself and the people nearby.

Reason # 4 - nsecurity breach

Domestic legislation requires gas consumers to timely perform maintenance and repair work on the gas equipment used. And, if this requirement is not met, then the guilty person faces punishment in the form of a fine in the amount of 1-2 thousand rubles. rubles.

We recommend that you read the information on how check the gas meter without removing at home.

The same amount will have to be paid if the consumer did not let the representatives of gas organizations into the house, who came to check, maintain or repair the meters?

The penalty for untimely replacement of a used gas meter will be 1-2 thousand. rubles. Such a rule is relevant if the specified operation is necessary in accordance with the collateral rules safe use of gas indoor equipment, and the consumer avoids fulfilling his responsibilities.

We examined in detail the procedure, rules and timing of work when replacing a gas meter in this article.

Any repeated act will lead to the need to part with 2-5 thousand rubles.

When else are consumers fined?

There are no other reasons for imposing a fine, including for non-installation of a gas meter, since the corresponding norms are not provided for in Russian legislation.

That is, there is still no fine for the lack of a prescribed (since January 2019) gas meter in residential premises, which are heated with gas or, if they are equipped with productive equipment. Since the "United Russia" considered that this would negatively affect the welfare of consumers of blue fuel.

We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules for transferring the meter, the features of “smart” flow meters, as well as the possibility of free installation or even refusal to install gas meters. We have considered all these questions in detail in our other articles:

• How to transfer a gas meter: rules and procedure for transferring a flow meter
• Smart gas meters: how smart flow meters are arranged and work + features of installing new meters
• Free installation of gas meters for pensioners: what benefits are you entitled to + how to get them
• Is it possible to refuse to install a gas meter: what does the law provide?

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The first video contains information about the peculiarities of using meters and how to protect your interests from the actions of gas workers.

The following article tells about the theft of gases and the punishment for this act.

The legislation contains a number of requirements, according to which a gas consumer can be fined for improper operation of meters. Moreover, both for some actions and for inaction. And the most severe punishment can be for unauthorized connection to gas pipelines, if malicious intent is revealed. But it should be remembered that a fine is not a final decision. And, if it is unfair, then it is worth challenging it in court.

Do you have any questions about fines after reading our article? Ask our experts in the comments section.

If you have experience challenging an unfair decision to impose a fine for a meter in court, share your history of the search for justice and useful recommendations with other users - the feedback form is located below.