The State Duma gave advice on saving housing and communal services during the holidays

If they are not in a residential building for more than five consecutive days, Russian citizens have the right to recalculate payments for housing and communal services (housing and communal services). This was announced on July 14 by Alexander Yakubovsky, a member of the State Duma Committee on Construction and Housing and Communal Services.

"If a person is absent from the apartment for more than five days in a row, he has every right to recalculate from the sixth day of absence. This is important for those who go on a business trip, are being treated in another city, are in a country house or in other housing," he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

You can make a recalculation for services that are charged depending on the number of residents. For example, it can be the provision of cold and hot water supply, sanitation, municipal solid waste (MSW) management.

To recalculate payments, you must submit an appropriate application to the management company, homeowners Association (HOA), or resource supply organization. You will also need to provide documents confirming the absence of a resident of the house — tickets, travel documents, an extract from the hospital, a certificate of temporary residence in another place, or documents about staying in a sanatorium or boarding house.

The recalculation will be carried out from the sixth day and for all further time of absence. However, this option does not apply to services that are charged according to meter readings.

"This mechanism allows people not to overpay for services they have not used. At the same time, it is important that the procedure is as clear as possible and is not accompanied by excessive bureaucracy. This is a question not only of justice, but also of citizens' trust in the housing and communal services system," the parliamentarian said.

On July 8, it was reported that the introduction of electronic payments for housing and communal services is planned throughout Russia. This request was addressed to the Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services Irek Fayzulin by State Duma Deputy First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications Anton Tkachev.

On February 13, Yulia Fedorova, a real estate expert and CEO of TERRA Management Company, spoke about ways to save money on housing and communal services. For example, you should regularly check plumbing for leaks.