FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are short answers to the questions residents ask most often when they first take a serious look at their bill. The answers describe Russian law in general terms and do not take your building or contract into account: use them as a starting point and check the details with the organisation that issues your payment document. Rules differ in other countries, so if you live elsewhere, check your own rules.
If you have a question about your bill, ask it this month. A year from now you will have to reconstruct not just the figures but what you meant at the time.
The bill
Why is my bill for last month?
Charges are calculated once the month is over and the volumes are known. That is why the document for the previous month usually arrives at the start of the next, and under the general rule of Article 155 of the Russian Housing Code it has to be paid by the tenth day of the month.
How does the "charged" line differ from "amount due"?
"Charged" is the amount for the current period. "Amount due" also takes into account your past payments, any overpayment or arrears. If the two figures differ a lot, look for the arrears and recalculation lines.
What if my bill does not arrive?
Not receiving the document does not cancel the obligation to pay. Find out the amount from the management company or your online account, if you have one, and ask them to sort out delivery.
How do I find out who services my building?
The name is usually on the bill itself and on the notice board in the entrance hall. Information on buildings and management companies is also published in GIS ZhKKh, the state housing and utilities information system, at dom.gosuslugi.ru.
Meters
When should I submit meter readings?
Within the deadlines given on the bill or in the contract. It helps to take readings on the same day each month and write them down with the date.
What happens if I forget to submit readings?
The charge will then be calculated by another method provided for in Resolution No. 354. Once you submit the readings, the charges are usually adjusted, but it is simpler not to miss them.
Do I have to install a meter?
The law links the calculation to whether a meter is present: under Article 157 of the Russian Housing Code, where there is none, the charge is based on the consumption standard. Installation requirements vary by resource, so check them with the management company.
Why does a meter need verification?
Verification confirms that the meter measures correctly. If the verification has expired, readings may no longer be accepted and the charge may switch to another method. Keep the verification document together with the installation report.
Disputes and arrears
Where do I turn if a charge looks wrong?
First, in writing, to the management company or whoever issued the bill. If there is no reply, or the reply does not satisfy you, you can contact the state housing inspectorate in your region.
Do I have to pay a disputed amount while it is being looked into?
It makes sense to pay the undisputed part so that arrears do not build up, and to press for a written reply on the disputed part. Keep records of all your payments and enquiries.
Who pays the utilities in a rented flat?
That is set by the tenancy or rental contract: often the tenant pays for the resources used and the owner pays for the upkeep of the property, but other arrangements exist. Set out the arrangement in the contract in advance.
How do I avoid running up arrears?
Pay regularly by the deadline, check that each payment shows on the next bill and do not put off questions about charges. If you need more time to pay, discuss it with the organisation in writing.
Related sections
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: how to check a monthly bill, submit meter readings on time, ask for a recalculation and keep your payments straight when you move.
- Examples
Hypothetical examples: someone else's readings on your bill, a standard despite a meter, a long absence, double billing, old arrears, cold "hot" water.
- Documents
Which utility payment papers to keep and why, how billing by meter differs from billing by consumption standard, and why proof of payment is worth keeping.
Sources
- Housing Code of the Russian Federation, Articles 155 and 157
- Rules for the Provision of Utility Services (Russian Government Resolution No. 354 of 6 May 2011)
- GIS ZhKKh, the state housing and utilities information system (dom.gosuslugi.ru): reference materials
These materials are based on the Russian Housing Code and the Russian Rules for the Provision of Utility Services. Deadlines, billing methods and tariffs for a particular building also depend on the management contract, decisions of the general meeting and regional regulations, so check important questions against official sources and your own documents. Rules differ in other countries: if you live elsewhere, check the rules that apply to you.