The Utility Trap: How Not to Fall into Debt for an Empty Apartment

According to Ukrainian law, utility services are charged based on actual usage or by norms if there are no meters. The absence of residents does not automatically mean the cessation of charges, ZN.UA reports.

The war has been going on for the fourth year, during which millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave the country. However, even abroad, they are charged for utility services, and some do not know that their apartments may have issues due to debts.

How to Legally Avoid Payments

To legally stop charges for unused services, several conditions must be met:

• be the owner or co-owner of the property;
• not live in the apartment;
• not rent out the property;
• not use utility services;
• officially notify the providers of your absence.

Experts recommend submitting a written statement about temporary non-use to the service organization. You can also send documents by registered mail or through a trusted person.

Current Actions

During absence, some payments remain mandatory:

• maintenance of the house and territory;
• subscription fees for meters;
• the share for centralized heating in certain cities.

If no action is taken, debts will accumulate, and penalties and fines will be charged. The provider may go to court to recover the debt, which may lead to the arrest of bank accounts in Ukraine.

During the war in Ukraine, millions of people were forced to leave their homes and go abroad. However, many of them continue to receive bills for utility services in Ukraine, even without using them. To avoid unnecessary expenses, it is essential to properly document your absence and notify the providers about it.