Can water be turned off for non-payment of debts: restrictions on utility services – Setafi

If we talk about which utilities cannot be turned off for debts, then first of all it is heating, cold water supply, gas and sewerage. Theoretically, any service can be restricted if it does not interfere with other owners and does not lead to damage to the premises (for example, due to freezing). The article talks about whether the water supply can be stopped, and within what time limits are imposed for non-payment.

In what cases is the water turned off?

As a general rule, utility bills must be paid by the 10th day of the month following the reporting period. For example, water is supplied throughout August. Then payment must be made before September 10.

If you do not do this, you should think about whether the water can be turned off for non-payment. Consequences will inevitably occur, and their severity directly depends on the period of non-payment:

1. Already starting from 31 days from the moment of delay, the supplier has the right to charge penalties every day, which is 1/300 of the interest rate approved by the Central Bank. As a rule, this is a few kopecks or rubles, but the amount per month can be quite significant.
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2. When the 91st day arrives, the penalty increases almost 3 times - now it will be 1/130 of the current rate of the Central Bank of Russia.
3. The supplier will not be able to impose restrictions on water disposal for debtors, since this service is provided to everyone. However, it may well limit the water supply. It is worth understanding that this only applies to hot water. Those. cold supply will continue as usual, although it may be limited.
4. Although it is impossible to turn off water for non-payment (if it is cold liquid), the company has the right to go to court to compensate for all losses. Including the costs she incurred to shut off the water supply.

Water shutdown period

There is no doubt about whether water can be turned off for non-payment of utilities. Vodokanal or another company has such a right, although the technical capability is not always available. Moreover, from the very first day no one will resort to such a harsh measure.

Thus, Government Decree No. 354 provides for the restriction of utility services for non-payment only after 2 months. That is, the company has the right to begin disconnecting it after at least 60 days. As a rule, a written warning is sent to the debtor's address in advance.

You may also receive a registered letter indicating that the company has filed a lawsuit. Typically, judges rule in favor of utility companies. From this moment on, the citizen has no more than 10 days to challenge it.

In what cases is the water not turned off?

It’s clear how water is turned off for non-payment. But this is not technically possible in all cases. For example, even hot supply cannot be turned off in the following cases:

• dormitory;
• Communal apartment;
• shared ownership (one owner pays for the service, the other does not, but they share a sink, toilet and bathtub);
• The owner installed a meter, but does not use water, for example, he went on vacation.

In the latter case, limiting the water supply is unlikely, but also possible. To avoid getting into unpleasant situations, it is recommended to transmit meter data monthly online or by phone.