Ukrainians will be refunded UAH 948 thousand: violations found in utility tariffs
4 April 09:28
Since the beginning of the year, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has stepped up inspections of housing and utility service providers and found massive violations in tariff setting. In 88.9% of cases, the tariffs were overstated, resulting in overpayments by consumers. As a result of the inspections, the companies were obliged to return almost a million hryvnias to Ukrainians. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
According to the service, out of 36 inspections, only 4 companies operate without damage. In 32 cases (88.9%), non-compliance with the law was recorded, including overcharging and failure to provide reasonable calculations. Results:
- 18 fines amounting to UAH 413.4 thousand were imposed.
- 23 orders were issued to bring tariffs in line with the norms.
- Consumers were refunded UAH 948.9 thousand.
- 26 officials were fined UAH 46.1 thousand.
“Housing and communal services must be of high quality and economically justified. Consumers should not overpay,” said Andriy Kreitor, Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
He emphasized that the company is obliged to operate transparently, and violations of the law are punishable by law.
Inspections in 2024: the big picture
Since April 2024, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has resumed unscheduled inspections in the housing and utilities sector. Over the year, 241 inspections were conducted, resulting in:
- Sanctions were imposed for UAH 3.7 million.
- UAH 2.5 million was refunded to consumers.
- Due to the adjustment of tariffs, overpayments of UAH 12.7 million were prevented in the annual volume.
These measures are evidence of systemic problems in the utility sector and the conditions of strict control.
How can consumers protect their rights?
The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection urges Ukrainians to be careful with their utility bills.
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection calls on citizens to
- carefully check utility bills;
- in case of doubt, demand documents justifying the tariffs;
- report violations to the territorial units of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
“Consumers should not remain silent if they are paying more than the law requires,” Kreitor added.
