Yes, with a few simple steps you can significantly reduce your utility bills. For example, install meters, use energy-saving lamps, check what services you pay for without actually receiving them.

2. Apply for a subsidy

If you are a citizen of Russia, Belarus or Kyrgyzstan, you have a permanent residence in Moscow and more than 10% of your family's total income is spent on housing and communal services, and the income itself does not exceed the level established for receiving a subsidy, you can claim compensation for part of your housing and communal expenses . You can find out more about how to get a subsidy for paying utility bills in ours.

3. Make a recalculation

If it is technically impossible to install meters in your apartment and you have been absent for more than five full days, you can request a recalculation of utility bills at the center of public services or at your management company - depending on who sends you a receipt for utilities. For recalculation you will need:

• an inspection report confirming that meters cannot be installed in your apartment;
• a document confirming your absence;
• an application that you can write at the reception at the My Documents center or at your management company.

You can read more about how to issue a recalculation in ours.

4. Install counters

• water meters will allow you to pay only for the water that you used, and, for example, not pay for hot water when it is turned off in the summer to prevent pipes;
• make sure you have a multi-tariff electricity meter. With it, you will be able to pay for electricity at reduced rates during the hours of the semi-peak zone (from 10:00 to 17:00; 21:00–23:00) and the night zone (from 23:00 to 07:00);
• building heat meters In accordance with Part 5 of Art. 13 of the Federal Law No. 261 of November 23, 2009."> must stand in all residential buildings, if it is technically possible. If, in addition to such a meter, regulators are installed on the radiators in the apartment, then in winter you can set a comfortable temperature in the apartment not with the help of an open window, but with the help of these regulators, thus saving heat. Do not cover the radiators with screens, furniture, thick curtains so that the heat can spread freely in the room. Do not leave windows and doors in the hallways open. The more heat loss in the house is reduced, the less you will pay. Consult your management company about the possibility of installing regulators. You can find her contacts on the portal.

You can learn how to install and register counters from ours.

5. Turn off the radio

If a radio point does not work in your apartment, but the “radio and notification” service is indicated in the receipt for payment of housing and communal services, you can refuse to pay for this service by submitting an application to turn off the radio point.

If you receive a single payment document (UPD):

• apply to turn off the radio point in the center of public services.

If instead of the EPD you receive another receipt for housing and communal services:

• contact the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Broadcasting and Alert Networks;
• check with your management company for the possibility to apply. You can find her contacts on the portal.

Attach to the application a receipt for turning off the radio point, a certificate from the public services center "My Documents" about the absence of debt. Be sure to take your passport with you.

6. Turn off the collective TV antenna

If you pay for cable or satellite TV, or don't watch TV at all, you don't have to pay for a community TV antenna. To do this, check with the management company who is the provider of these services for you, and write an application, be sure to take your passport with you. You can find the contacts of your management company on the portal.

And spend less. To spend less, you first need to block the "leak" in the family budget, optimizing all your expenses.

In anticipation of another increase in tariffs for housing and communal services ( and another financial crisis) let's talk about how you can reduce the consumption of natural resources, and with it the cost of utility bills.

One of the most significant items of expenditure is payment for water supply and sanitation. First of all, it will help you to reduce the cost of water supply counter, which pays off in 6-8 months and cuts monthly expenses by up to 30%. For example, if you pay 1,500 rubles for water every month, then with a meter you will pay only 1,000 rubles. That is, in one year you will save up to 6,000 rubles. on water bills alone!

In addition to installing the meter, pay attention to the condition of the plumbing. Replacement and repair of plumbing repairing leaking faucets, installing lever-operated sink mixers instead of two-faucets, using an economical shower head, replacing a conventional toilet cistern with a cistern with two flushes, etc.) also significantly reduces the amount of water consumed and the overall cost of water supply.

For example, the repaired faucet will save you another 5-10% of the total payment, and the lever mixer, in which the economy system is built in, consumes 40% less water in economy mode than in full mode.

For those who are ready to reduce their water consumption even more, it will be useful to know that it is more beneficial to take a shower instead of a bath ( in this case, water is used by 40-50% of See above), and it is better to draw water for brushing your teeth into a glass so that it does not flow out of the tap for several minutes in vain.

To wash dishes economically, use a dishwasher or wash the dishes in the sink, having previously drawn water into it: once for washing, and the second for rinsing. When washing, the economical modes of the washing machine will help to save money.

During the cold season, the heating bill is the largest (or one of the largest) item of expenditure. To significantly reduce these costs, you first need to install a heat meter and insulate the house. A common house meter can reduce costs by an average of 20%, and a meter installed in an apartment can reduce costs by at least 30%.

For example, if you pay 3,000 rubles for heating, then installing a house meter will save you up to 600 rubles, and an apartment meter - up to 900 rubles. per month, and accordingly - up to 7,200 and 10,800 rubles. in year. The more you pay, the more you save with a meter.

Thanks to the meter, you will only pay for the heat received, and with home insulation save up to 30-40% more of this heat in your home. Insulation usually includes replacing windows and doors with thermal insulation, repairing the floor, ceiling and walls to eliminate all gaps, etc. If desired and possible, it is also worth insulating the entrance ( replace broken windows, put a good door).

most profitable ( he is the most expensive in the beginning), a way to reduce heating costs: install in your apartment ( home) autonomous heat supply. If, with centralized heating, the meter will allow you to reduce the payment for heating by at least 30%, then with autonomous heating, your costs will decrease by another 30-40%. In addition, you will not depend on central heating, which is no less important.

This means that if you paid 3,000 rubles for central heating, then when installing an individual heating system, you can pay at least 2,000 rubles less per month or 24,000 rubles. in year. That's a pretty significant savings.

First, use energy-saving LED lamps that consume 6 times less energy compared to conventional light bulbs and last for many years (lifetime: 30,000 to 50,000 hours). This is the simplest and easiest way to reduce energy costs, which can and should be used.

Secondly, if you use a lot of electricity at night ( e.g. for electric water heater or heater), install a two-tariff meter instead of a single-rate meter, which counts electricity consumption at a reduced rate at night.

Thirdly, if you intend to further reduce your electricity consumption, install dimmers instead of switches ( they allow you to adjust the intensity of lighting) and make zone lighting so that instead of one large chandelier with several lamps, use small table lamps, sconces and floor lamps.

Always turn off the count in the rooms you leave, and also turn off the equipment that you do not use ( including computer and TV). This will reduce overall electricity consumption by at least 20%. By the way, about technology. When buying new household appliances, be sure to choose one that has an energy class of at least "A". This technique is the most economical.

Following these guidelines will allow you reduce electricity costs by an average of 25-50% per month. For example, if you now pay 500 rubles for electricity. per month, you can save on its payment from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles. annually.

You should also pay attention to less significant items of expenditure, since in total they can exceed the largest item of utility costs. Among them are payment for gas supply, rent, cable TV, communications, etc. expenses. Think about how you can reduce them and you will definitely find a solution.

Can you save on rent? It is possible, but for this you will either have to refuse some of the services provided by housing offices, or create an association of co-owners of an apartment building ( OSMD). It is possible that in the latter case, you will pay less rent, and the quality of services will be higher. But this is a rather radical way to reduce costs and is not suitable for everyone.

How to save on gas tariffs? First, to begin with, install the counter. It will not pay off as quickly as water and heat meters ( gas is cheap, so the gas meter pays off in 2-3 years), but it still pays off. Secondly, it is better to cook food on a minimum fire, and the contents of the pots should be brought to a boil - at the maximum. So not only more economical, but also more useful.

The best way to cut your cable TV costs is to cut it out. To spend less on mobile communications, compare the tariff plans of mobile operators from time to time and choose the most profitable one for you. If the Internet is cheap and unlimited, use it more often instead of mobile communications.

Pay attention to the quality of the utilities provided to you. If the house is not as warm as it should be, the hot water is actually barely warm, the house renovation that you were charged for was never done - insist on recalculating the cost of heating, water supply and house maintenance fees.

If you don't use the services, then don't pay for them. For example, so that during your long absence from home you will not be billed for utilities, collect certificates confirming your departure and take them to the Housing Office. True, if you have all the meters, then you do not have to do this: the meter does not spin - you do not pay. This, by the way, is another compelling reason to put all possible counters at home.

Of course, to install all the meters, change plumbing and lighting fixtures, you need to spend money, but this is what will most help reduce monthly utility costs. Treat investing like an investment.

And further. To pay utility bills, choose a bank with low commissions or pay for some services without a commission with a bank card via the Internet directly on the websites of service providers. Most importantly, pay your utility bills on time. This will save you both from having to pay a penalty and from accumulating debts that are much easier to acquire than to pay off.

Even if you use only part of all these recommendations, you will significantly reduce your monthly expenses. With the most conservative estimates, installing all the meters at home and acquiring a few good habits will help you save up to 30,000 rubles. per year, which you can spend on your trip abroad or on a long-awaited large purchase.

Useful service: utility bill calculator http://www.fstrf.ru/calc-jkh

Some tips you can implement right now and for free, others - only by investing money or effort and time to acquire new habits. In any case, it's worth it. Remember that by reducing resource consumption, you also care about the environment!

More working techniques, how to increase your income,You will find

Every month, most Russians are forced to pay "communal dues" - this is how we most often perceive payment for housing and communal services. Few people are completely satisfied with the maintenance of their home: from time to time water of a suspicious color flows from the taps, the heating disappears at the most inopportune moment, and something unpleasant smells chronically from the basement. As a rule, we put up with the inconvenience - they provide everything necessary for life, and okay! That's just the amount in receipts for rent is steadily growing, and many people have to pay about 10% of the family budget for a "communal" - quite European prices for more than Soviet service. Therefore, it is important to know how to reduce utility bills and reduce the burden of housing and communal services.

Method number 1 - Get a benefit

First of all, you should find out if your family has the right to a benefit - a discount when paying utility bills. Unfortunately, there is no single document that would contain a complete list of all beneficiaries. Moreover, the concept of "benefits" is absent in the Housing Code - over time, the authorities planned a complete transition to the compensation system. However, in reality, special conditions for certain categories of citizens are still in force on the territory of Russia.

Information about the benefits that Russians are entitled to is in the laws “On Veterans”, “On the Social Protection of Disabled Persons in the Russian Federation”, “On the Social Protection of Citizens Exposed to Radiation as a Result of the Chernobyl Disaster” and other federal and regional acts. For example, Muscovites can find out this information in the Decree of the Government of Moscow dated December 7, 2004 No. 850-PP “On the procedure and conditions for providing social support measures for citizens to pay for housing and utilities”, the law “On measures of social support for certain categories of residents of the city of Moscow ".

Disabled people and parents of children with disabilities - 50% discount on housing and communal services

People over 80, regardless of family composition - 30% discount on housing and communal services

Orphans under the age of 18 - 30% discount on housing and communal services

Children under the age of 1.5 years - 30% discount on utilities

Large families with three or more children - 30% discount on housing and communal services

Large families with ten or more children - 50% discount on housing and communal services

The state is ready to provide incentives for only one property and on one basis. If a citizen falls into several categories, he will have to choose one at his discretion.

Method number 2 - Get a subsidy

A subsidy is a mechanism to compensate for excessive spending. If, in the case of a benefit, a citizen receives an invoice for a smaller amount, then the subsidy is a financial assistance that can be obtained to pay unbearable utility bills. The right of a citizen to apply for financial support is fixed in Article 159 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation.

The subsidy can be received:

• Council and public housing tenants
• Private tenants
• Members of housing cooperatives
• Homeowners

Eligibility for a subsidy depends on:

• Regional housing area standards
• Regional standard for utility payments
• The maximum allowable share of expenses for housing and communal services in the total family income

For example, owners of real estate in Moscow will be interested in the law "On the standards of the city of Moscow, applied in determining the rights of citizens to provide subsidies for payment for housing and utilities." To calculate the subsidy, a standard area of ​​​​33 square meters is taken. m for a single person, 42 sq. m for a family of two and 18 sq. m for a family of three or more people. At the same time, a family with an average income of 800 to 2,000 rubles per person must pay no more than 3% of the budget for housing and communal services, from 2,000 to 2,500 rubles per person - up to 6%, and more than 2,500 rubles - no more than 10% of the total family income. Also important is the regional cost of housing and communal services, which is approved annually.

Method number 3 - Get a recalculation for poor-quality housing and communal services

The Russians should not forget - they are not required to pay for cold batteries in winter or lack of water in the tap. If the house is poorly maintained, ask for a recalculation. You can apply for a change in the size of the utility fee if utilities are provided with significant interruptions or poor quality. This right is provided for by paragraphs 60-69 of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 307.

For example, hot and cold water must always be supplied to houses. According to the standard, water supply must be uninterrupted, year-round and around the clock. Permissible break - 8 hours (in total) within a month, but no more than 4 hours at a time, and in case of an accident on a dead end line - no more than 24 hours. If there is no water for longer, the amount on the receipt should be less. For each hour that the outage period is exceeded, the monthly fee is reduced by 0.15%. In addition, deviations from the standards for pressure in pipes, composition and temperature of water are unacceptable. For example, liquid should flow through hot pipes no colder than 50 C.

If you have established the fact of poor-quality work of utilities, you must immediately notify the emergency dispatch service. In this case, an employee of the housing and communal organization is obliged to put a mark on the application from the consumer. Later, it will become the basis for the recognition by the contractor of the fact of non-provision of public services or provision of public services of inadequate quality.

Method number 4 - Write out "extra" people

Keep in mind: each new tenant is an additional cost for utility bills. Of course, registration is a necessary thing in our country, and it makes no sense to check out of an apartment for the sake of savings. But often on square meters there are frankly "dead souls" - relatives who moved a long time ago to other cities and countries. In this case, it is advisable to write people out of the apartment or discuss with them a mechanism for compensating for a share of the rent.

It is also useful for people who travel a lot, work on a rotational basis or live in two cities to know that in the temporary absence of citizens, a reduction in fees for certain types of utilities is provided. This is indicated in paragraph 54 of Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 307 on the procedure for paying citizens for housing and communal services. If the consumer is not at home for more than 5 days, he can apply to the management company and reduce the bills for water supply, sewerage, electricity and gas. True, this only makes sense if the calculations are made according to the standard.

Method number 5 - Save resources

Russians who are not beneficiaries, cannot claim a subsidy or hold public utilities to account, it remains to save resources. It seems to many that this is not effective: there is too much trouble in order to pay a couple of hundred rubles less. However, practice shows that if you introduce a comprehensive system of savings into the family lifestyle, you can reduce the cost of a "communal" by almost a quarter.

• Water and gas meters

Installing a water meter is an investment that will have to be made every few years (a conventional meter is designed for three years). However, it pays for itself in an average of six months and then helps to save significantly. For example, if several people are registered in an apartment without a meter, you will have to pay for everyone, and with a meter - only for the water actually used. The difference can be fivefold.

• Energy saving lamps and electrical appliances

Electricity costs are one of the most significant lines in the monthly utility bill. And, unlike many other expensive services like heating or sanitation, it is in our power to reduce the cost of electricity. To do this, it is absolutely not necessary to abandon modern appliances and sit by candlelight. On the contrary, you need to competently approach the purchase of equipment, choose devices with a class of at least “A” with modern economical energy consumption schemes and eco-modes.

You can also save electricity by rethinking your daily habits a bit: turn on the dishwasher and washing machine at night when there is a special tariff, and not drive these appliances “empty” for the sake of two cups or one T-shirt. Those who want to make a warm floor at home, it is useful to consider that this device can be both electric and water. The second option will be more time consuming during repairs, but then it will help you significantly save on electricity bills.

• Refusal of unnecessary services

Take a closer look at your rent receipt. It is quite possible that there are a few frankly extra lines - invoices for services that you never use. In most apartment buildings, this is a radio point, which is included in the project, but in fact has been silent for many years. On average, a phantom radio costs you 400 rubles a year. Those who have abandoned the TV, but continue to pay for the antenna out of habit, spend even more. Write a statement to the main department of the engineering service of the district, call the master and turn off unnecessary services.

For some reason, a person may not live at the place of permanent registration. However, according to Art. 153 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the obligation to pay rests with all owners. However, in some cases it is possible not to pay for the services provided or to recalculate the amount indicated on the receipt. We will tell in the article how utility bills are paid if a person is registered but does not live.

The obligation to pay payments for the provision of utility services rests with the owner of the housing from the moment of its acquisition. This means that even if no one is registered in the dwelling, but it belongs to some person, the utility service is considered to be provided.

The regulations for payment of utility bills are regulated by Section VII of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation. Specific instructions for paying for housing and communal services are prescribed:

• in Art. 154 LC RF - regulates the structure of payment;
• in Art. 155 of the LC RF - establishes the procedure for making payments and regulates the terms of payment, the purpose of the payment and its recipient;
• in Art. 157 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation - fixes the rules for calculating payments if measuring devices are installed in the residential premises and if there are none.

The amount of payment for utilities increases if the number of registered persons increases. Only payment for heating and rent remains unchanged.

Thus, if a person is registered in an apartment, but does not live, the payment for utilities (except for heating and rent) will be calculated in proportion to the number of registered persons. That is, it does not matter whether a person lives in an apartment or not in fact.

The owner can influence registered tenants and force them to pay their share of utility bills. There are three levers of influence: to divide personal accounts, go to court or threaten with eviction.

The basis for the court will be Article 61, Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the Russian Federation. The court can make a decision in which it will be recognized that the citizens registered in the apartment have lost their rights, and also demand that the debt on utility bills be paid by force. To do this, you will need to provide a receipt from which it will be clear that all payments were made by the owner of the property. Before starting litigation, you should consult with a professional housing lawyer.

How not to pay utility bills if you do not live in an apartment?

It is possible to reduce payment for utility bills if a person is registered in an apartment, but does not live, and peacefully. We'll tell you how to do it.

How can I reduce my rent and heating bills?

In any case, you will have to pay the rent and heating payments. This is because it is the responsibility of the owner.

Heating bills are inevitable. It cannot be turned off, as in winter this is fraught with serious consequences. The payment can be reduced by installing a meter.

You can reduce the payment for gas if you put a seal on the gas valve. To do this, you need to contact the company responsible for gas supply, and write a corresponding application there with a request to block access to gas. This option is possible if the owner has no debt for gas supply.

Dear readers! We talk about standard methods for solving legal problems, but your case may be special. We will help find a solution to your problem for free- just call our legal adviser by phone:

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This service is provided for a fee. Specialists from the gas service, based on the application of the owner, will shut off the gas the next day. When necessary, the owner will be able to write a statement asking him to remove the seal.

But on payments for garbage disposal will not work. If someone is registered in the apartment, then even the fact of his non-residence is not a basis for canceling the payment. Only an extract or confirmation that the person lives at a different address, where he pays this payment, will help.

If no one is registered or lives in the apartment, how to pay for water and electricity according to meters?

If measuring devices are installed in the apartment, then you need to pay based on these readings. Accordingly, if no one lives in the premises, payment will not be charged.

Regarding payments for water supply, we can say that in the absence of meters, it is necessary to do the same as with gas. The management company writes a statement on the basis of which the flow of water into the apartment is blocked. If there is a meter, but no one lives in the apartment, then you should also notify the service provider about this.

It is also better to turn off the electricity. This will avoid misunderstandings if it occurs to someone to “twist” the counter.

Thus, if there are no meters in the apartment, the best way out in order not to pay for the provision of water and light is to contact the supplier. You will need to provide:

• statement;
• certificate of ownership of the apartment;
• certificate of registration at a different address.

This will help achieve exemption from payment for water and electricity supply. If for some reason it is not possible to obtain release, you should go to court to resolve the issue. We recommend that you consult with a real estate lawyer first.

How to reduce utility bills if a person is registered but does not live

If a citizen has not lived in an apartment for more than five days, utility payments can be recalculated.

Thus, it will be possible to reduce the amount of payment for gas, water and electricity.

The long-term absence of a person registered in the apartment must be confirmed by one of the following documents:

1. Information about being on a business trip.
2. A medical certificate confirming the fact that the person is in the hospital.
3. Tickets confirming the fact of departure and arrival.
4. Another document, according to which it is clear that the person lived at a different address.
5. Certificate confirming the presence of registration at the place of actual residence.

Recalculation will be made within five working days. The result of the recalculation will be reflected in the payment receipt for the next reporting period.

In any case, in order for the payment of utility bills, if a person is registered but does not live, to be reduced, it is necessary to provide a document confirming the fact of being in another place of residence. The installation of meters will also help reduce the amount of payments.

The cost of paying utility bills is a standard item in the budget of every homeowner. It happens that the payments are so large that the funds are not enough, and the debts increase monthly. Naturally, many are looking for ways to reduce utility bills for an apartment. There are several of them and they are all completely legal.

Getting Social Benefits

The list and conditions for receiving social benefits are prescribed in a number of legislative acts. In particular, in the legislation on veterans of the Great Patriotic War and combatants, the disabled and the poor, etc. While the housing code itself does not regulate this issue. You can reduce utility bills for the following categories of people:

• those with disabilities - 50% of the cost;
• over 80 years old - 30% of the cost;
• minor orphans - by 30%;
• large families - from 30 to 50%.

To reduce utility bills by receiving benefits, you can use only one of the above grounds.

Registration of subsidies

Making a subsidy is another example of how to reduce utility bills. This is a scheme of state reimbursement of expenses for paying utility bills. The payment mechanism is detailed in Article 159 of the LC RF. The following persons may apply for grants:

• living in public housing;
• using residential space under a lease agreement;
• members of housing cooperatives;
• property owners.

The amount by which utility costs can be reduced is determined individually for each specific case, based on the share of costs in the family budget and the standards adopted for the region.

Decrease in cost due to poor quality of services

If the owner of the apartment is not satisfied with the quality of the services provided, he has the right to demand a recalculation of the cost. The reasons for such treatment may be: interruptions or complete absence of water supply, electricity supply, gas supply, as well as heating supply inconsistent with temperature standards. This is another way to reduce utility bills, but, unfortunately, they do not use it often, perhaps because each fact must be recorded by contacting the dispatcher or emergency service.

Reducing the number of prescribed

The number of persons registered in a municipal apartment directly affects the cost of housing and communal services. Therefore, if you want to reduce costs, find an opportunity to write out everyone who does not actually live on it. This measure is recommended not only to reduce costs, but also as a preparation for the transaction for those who are planning privatization. Otherwise, it is likely that after privatization it will be necessary to buy out rooms or shares in order to make the apartment completely your own.