In connection with the increase in the number of appeals to the Human Rights Ombudsman Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic on issues related to the recovery of debts for the consumed public utilities, we remind that citizens are obliged to pay for consumed electricity, water supply, and maintenance.
There was a freeze imposed on the recovery of debts for the consumed public utilities, however, it was lifted through the Decree of the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic No.50 of 4 March 2016. Therefore, it is obligatory to make the aforesaid payments.
Please, note: communal services providers provide an opportunity to restructure debts of citizens who have debts for the aforesaid services for phased reduction of debts. One should approach the corresponding communal service to formalize the restructuring of debts.
In the event of a debtor’s inaction, service providers charge the debt in court, and the decision that has entered into legal force must be executed. If a debtor fails to execute a court decision, it shall be enforced through coercion by the authorities of the State Executive Service in accordance with the Provisional Order on the enforcement proceedings in the Donetsk People’s Republic, with recovery from the consumer of the 10% fee of the amount subject to reimbursement, and costs associated with the implementation of enforcement.
At the same time, the debtor has the right to apply to the court for deferral or instalment of payment of the debt, showing sufficient cause. However, we recall that when deciding on deferral or instalment of payment, the court does not change the decision to recover the debt.
If one disagrees with the amount of debt, he/she may challenge it in court.
