Many property owners mistakenly believe that if no one lives in an apartment, there is no need to pay for utilities. However, Ukrainian legislation does not provide for the complete cancellation of expenses for property maintenance, even if it remains vacant for months.
The legal reality is this: owning property obligates the owner to bear responsibility for its maintenance. Elena Voronkova, a lawyer from the "Ivan Khomich" Law Firm, told RBC-Ukraine in a comment that it is impossible to completely avoid expenses, as some services are mandatory to keep the building in working order.
What you will have to pay in any case
Even if you have left the property for a long time, bills for certain services will continue to arrive. The lawyer emphasizes that the owner is obliged to pay for:
- Heating;
- Services for the maintenance of the territory around the building.
These expenses are related to the functioning of the common property of the building and do not depend on the actual presence of residents in a specific apartment.
How to "freeze" other payments
Although some expenses cannot be avoided, some utility services can be temporarily suspended. To do this, you must contact the managing company with a corresponding application. The key condition is providing proof that no one actually lives in the apartment.
If these procedures are followed, charges for the following services can be stopped during your absence:
- Cold and hot water supply;
- Sewage;
- Gas supply;
- Electricity supply (if there is no meter or readings are not submitted).
Special case: presence of meters
The situation is simplified for those who have installed meters. Elena Voronkova added that if there are meters in the building, it is not necessary to write additional applications to disconnect services. In this case, it is enough to regularly submit current readings to the suppliers, which will remain unchanged during the period of absence of residents. This will automatically exclude the charge for consumed resources.
