In Ukraine, population may be disconnected again from utilities for debts
Amendments to the legislation came into force, which lifted the ban on restricting the provision of housing and communal services to citizens of Ukraine in the event of debt.
Relevant amendments were made to the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning Simplification of Connection to Electric Networks," ExPro reports.
The law was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on August 19 and came into force the next day.
Among other things, the document amends the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Aimed at Preventing the Occurrence and Spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)."
In particular, it excludes the clause that for the period of quarantine and within 30 days from the date of its abolition it is prohibited to suspend or discontinue the provision of housing and communal services to citizens of Ukraine in case of non-payment or incomplete payment.
According to the changes, now the ban on disconnecting consumers of utilities in case of debt will apply only for the period of quarantine restrictions of the "red" level and for 30 days after their abolition.
At the same time, as before, for the duration of the quarantine, it is prohibited to accrue and collect penalties (fines, penalties) for late payments for housing and communal services, as well as forced eviction of debtors from the "communal" housing during enforcement court decisions on debt collection for housing and communal services.
According to the State Statistics Service, the debts of the population for utilities as of the end of June 2021 amounted to UAH 70.6 billion.
