As a result of large-scale inspections in the housing and communal services sector conducted by the State Consumer Service, numerous violations were identified in the process of forming and applying state-regulated tariffs. A significant portion of the unlawfully charged funds is subject to return to consumers.
This is reported by Finway
Scope of Inspections and Sanctions
During the reporting period, specialists from the State Consumer Service conducted 88 unscheduled state supervision measures aimed at monitoring compliance with legislation in the pricing of housing and communal services. As a result of these inspections, violations of current regulations were recorded in 86 cases (97.7%). This mainly concerned incorrect tariff formation and ignoring the requirements of state price regulation.
For the identified violations, 22 decisions were made to impose administrative and economic sanctions totaling 862.9 thousand UAH. Additionally, 77 orders were issued to enterprises to eliminate violations and bring tariffs in line with current legislation, and 7 officials were held administratively liable with fines totaling 17 thousand UAH.
Compensation to Consumers and Reasons for Inspections
The main advantage of the conducted measures was the return of funds that were unlawfully charged to citizens. According to the decisions and orders made, enterprises are required to return 453 thousand UAH to consumers. Furthermore, the return of an additional 517.4 thousand UAH has already been ensured, along with the transfer of 112.6 thousand UAH to the state budget based on previously considered decisions.
The State Consumer Service emphasized that all unscheduled inspections in the housing and communal services sector were conducted solely based on citizens’ complaints and only concerned issues outlined in the appeals.
“Our goal is to ensure economically justified tariffs and prevent violations of legislation in the pricing of housing and communal services. The State Consumer Service exercises control strictly within the defined powers and responds to every justified citizen’s appeal,” said Andriy Kreitor, Deputy Head of the State Consumer Service.