The cold season is approaching, and Ukrainians are facing the issue of debts for housing and communal services. Those with unpaid bills risk being left without electricity and heat.
Lawyer Stanislav Liflyanchik explained what debtors can expect during the heating season.
"Despite the war, missile and 'Shahed' attacks, as well as blackouts, energy companies continue to collect debts from defaulters and disconnect subscribers from utility services. Therefore, considering that the heating season this winter will be quite challenging, there will be no compromises or leniency towards debtors. To avoid becoming a victim of this situation, it is essential to follow a few pieces of advice," the expert clarified.
First and foremost, it is recommended to contact the service provider with a request for debt restructuring and begin repayment. In most cases, energy companies are willing to cooperate and accommodate the following requests. So, if a debtor offers to pay in installments, the creditor usually agrees.
The situation is different if the utility provider has charged a debt without justification. It is unfair to pay for what you have not consumed. In this case, one should gather documents that support their claim (meter readings, acts, proof of payments, etc.), prepare a request for recalculation of the debt, include the gathered materials, and submit everything directly to the energy company.
The lawyer emphasized the importance of having a receipt confirming the acceptance of the documents on the application. If sending the application by mail, it should be sent as a registered letter with a description of the contents.
He noted that utility companies often violate the law and manipulate the termination of services. For instance, if a person has no debt but has been disconnected from gas, the only legal remedy is to file a lawsuit demanding that the actions be recognized as illegal and obliging the company to restore gas service.
Source: 24Kanal.