Kyiv Residents Owe 8 Billion Hryvnias for Heating and Hot Water

The debt of Kyiv residents for heating and hot water services has increased by 6.5% since the start of the heating season, reaching 8 billion hryvnias. This was reported by the director of the Energy Supply Company of Kyivteploenergo, Kostyantyn Lopatyn.

This is reported by AgroReview

The total debt of Kyiv residents consists of 5 billion hryvnias for heating and nearly 3 billion hryvnias for hot water supply. Lopatyn noted that most consumers responsibly pay their bills, but the overall level of debt continues to rise.

Lawsuits and Penalties

To avoid legal proceedings, Kyivteploenergo offers the option of debt restructuring under favorable conditions. However, if this option is declined, the company is forced to resort to more stringent measures. To date, 1,500 lawsuits have already been filed in court to recover debts, and this number is constantly increasing.

After the lifting of the moratorium on penalties, a daily fine of 0.01% is applied to debts. Additionally, the court may impose extra inflationary charges and 3% annual interest. In case of non-payment, debtors face the risk of having their accounts frozen, as well as restrictions on the use of property and transportation.

Social Consequences of Debt

Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Petro Panteleyev, noted that a significant portion of debtors have the ability to pay but ignore their utility obligations. He emphasized that debts for heating are not only a financial problem but also a threat to the stable passage of the upcoming heating season.

It is worth reminding that starting Monday, March 24, the heating season in Kyiv officially ended due to the forecasted warming. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko announced that residential buildings began to be disconnected from heating, while social institutions—medical facilities, kindergartens, schools, and others—will be disconnected based on individual requests from their managers.