Housing-and-Utilities is an upcoming sector

Housing-and-Utilities is an upcoming sector

On 27 January 2016, Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) Vitaly Korolyov was a speaker at a discussion during the "Urban Development: Housing and Utilities" Forum, organized by the “United Russia” political party.

Attendees included representatives of federal and regional executive bodies, secretaries of grassroot organizations of “United Russia” and industry experts.

Vitaly Korolyov reported on the outcome of tariff regulation in the housing & utilities sector and outlined proposals on further amendments to regulatory acts designed to protect the rights of consumers of utility services and enhance efficiency of the housing & utilities sector and related services.

"Today the payment growth index for utility services for general public has 4% restriction on average in Russia. It is strictly consistent and shall be rigorously controlled by FAS across all regions in Russia", stated Vitaly Korolyov.

He pointed out that "observing the 4% restriction does not suffice to ensure transparency of the final sums in the payment document. It includes different payments, the growth of which is not limited at all. The issue should be worked out and the resulting restrictions should be introduced for increase of the sum in the payment documents, so consumers – members of general public were able to know and verify whether payments set by both the managing companies and resource-supplying organizations are justified".

The participants of the discussion panel supported the proposal to be refined and implemented.