"Housing and communal services tariffs are underestimated in many localities"
В России порядка 42% коммунальных сетей требуют замены или обновления. За шесть лет планируется заменить более 50 тыс. км и выйти на темп обновления в 2,5% ежегодно. Об этом в интервью «Известиям» рассказал заместитель министра строительства и ЖКХ Алексей Ересько. По его словам, к концу 2030 года с участием федеральных средств планируется расселить порядка 300 тыс. человек из аварийного жилья. А для обслуживания домов, брошенных управляющими компаниями, создадут гарантирующие УК. О том, каким будет максимальный порог индексации тарифов ЖКУ в 2025 году и можно ли уменьшить сроки летнего отключения горячей воды, — в интервью Алексея Ересько «Известиям».
"It is planned to replace more than 50 thousand km of networks in six years"
— In 2025, a new national project "Infrastructure for Life" began to be implemented. What changes can be expected in the housing and communal services sector?
— There are more than 950 thousand km of water supply, sanitation and heat supply networks in Russia, of which about 42% require replacement or renovation. Therefore, on behalf of the President of Russia, a program has been formed to modernize the municipal infrastructure within the framework of the new national project "Infrastructure for Life".
By the end of 2030, it is necessary to improve the quality of public services for 20 million people. This is the final indicator, and it will be implemented through the modernization of municipal infrastructure facilities such as networks, boiler houses, water intakes, pumping stations and heating points.
It is planned to replace more than 50 thousand km of networks in six years. We are preparing to reach the rate of network renewal at the level of 2.5% annually. About 4.5 trillion rubles will be allocated for these purposes from all sources — federal and regional budgets, as well as investment programs of resource-supplying organizations.
— How will the modernization of housing and communal services affect regional tariffs and how will it affect final bills for housing and communal services?
— Tariffs for housing and communal services are calculated by each subject of the Russian Federation, taking into account the marginal indices controlled by the Federal Antimonopoly Service. The legislation prohibits exceeding them. Of course, these requirements will be met, however, I would like to note that a systematic and reasonably justified indexation of tariffs for water supply, sanitation and heat supply, which is carried out as part of a regular procedure established by law, is necessary for the financial support of the program. Resource supply organizations play a key role in this process.
— How much will reasonable indexing amount to? What is the planned tariff increase in 2025?
— The regions of the Russian Federation themselves determine which index to apply in their subject, and the FAS monitors that there are no exceedances, and also adjusts the general indexing rules based on the analysis, if necessary. According to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development, the maximum indexation threshold for total utility bills in 2025 will be 11.9%. In cases where the potential of a resource-supplying organization allows us to provide utilities on a break-even basis, we will see a minimal increase there. But we have many localities where tariffs are initially low.
The annual indexation of tariffs for housing and communal services is necessary for the smooth operation and development of housing and communal services infrastructure throughout the country, taking into account the costs of repairing and modernizing facilities, engineering networks and communications. For example, the indexation of tariffs for thermal energy significantly depends not only on inflation, but also on the cost of gas, coal, fuel oil and other resources, which account for at least 40% of the heat tariff.
A similar dependence exists in tariffs for water supply and sanitation, in which, in turn, the main impact is an increase in the cost of electricity that provides pumping stations.
— Despite the modernization, almost every year before the winter season we encounter accidents in housing and communal services. What measures are being taken to reduce them?
— Taking into account the emergency situations of the last heating season, together with the Ministry of Energy, with the involvement of representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Rostechnadzor, response plans were formed, emergency response training was conducted in each region.
Together with Rostechnadzor, instructions have been developed for emergency management in case of accidents during the heating period. The detailed requirements have been explained to the regions at the All-Russian headquarters.
In addition, in order to strengthen control over preparations for the heating period, together with the Ministry of Energy and State Duma deputies, amendments were adopted providing for the obligation to be prepared for winter and mandatory participation in the assessment of readiness of representatives of Rostechnadzor and Goszhilnadzor. Response plans have been formed in each region and emergency response training has been provided.
There are already positive results of this work. During the New Year holidays, 31% fewer emergencies were recorded in the heat supply sector this year than during last year's New Year holidays. And thanks to the prompt actions of the responsible services, these incidents were eliminated in a timely manner.
In the field of housing fund operation, the number of emergencies also decreased by 35% over the same period. In addition, we observe a tendency to decrease by 11% the average time for restoration work on utility networks and production facilities.
"The period of summer shutdown of boiler houses is shortened"
— Summer is approaching, when hot water in Russia is turned off for two weeks due to the necessary modernization of networks. When will these deadlines be shortened?
— As an example, we can give a medical examination. A person undergoes a routine medical examination during the week to identify possible diseases and rule out relapses. Similarly, it is necessary to carry out routine maintenance on the networks, flush the filters in the central heating points, and service boilers and other equipment. There are systems that are difficult to replace with backup equipment, for example, in coal—fired boilers. Another thing is that these deadlines should be reasonable.
— What time frame do you consider reasonable?
— As practice shows, in the process of network renewal, the duration of the summer shutdown of boiler houses is reduced. Previously, the supply of hot water in Moscow stopped for three weeks, then for two, and now for 10 days. During these 10 days, in addition to routine maintenance, equipment is being upgraded, pipes are being crimped, and pipelines are being hydraulic tested with increased pressure.
— Can we expect that these shutdown periods will continue to decrease as the networks are upgraded? For example, up to a week? When can this happen?
— Each region is interested in optimizing the process of planned summer prevention as much as possible. But, as I have already said, there are technically reasonable deadlines for this process. The measures carried out during preventive shutdowns allow not only to keep the heating and water supply systems in working order, but also significantly reduce the number of accidents in the autumn-winter period.
"The rules for recognizing houses as emergency have been updated"
— The Emergency fund resettlement program has been in effect since 2019. Will it continue? How many more people are planned to be resettled?
— This program, which has no analogues in the world, has become effective thanks to the joint work of the Ministry of Construction, the regions and the Territorial Development Fund. Since 2019, 810.6 thousand citizens from more than 13.7 million square meters have been settled. m of emergency housing. In the subjects of the Russian Federation, where citizens were resettled from houses recognized as emergency before January 1, 2017, the federal project has been fully completed. In 29 regions where the federal project was completed ahead of schedule, housing classified as emergency from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2022 has already begun to be resettled. These activities will continue within the framework of the new national project "Infrastructure for Life". It is planned that by the end of 2030, with the participation of federal funds, about 300 thousand people from 6 million square meters will be resettled. m of emergency housing.
The government has now updated the rules for recognizing apartment buildings as emergency. These changes preserve the current procedure for recognizing emergency housing, while clarifying the relevant grounds. Thus, the proportion of structures being examined and the responsibility of the experts conducting the survey will increase. We assume that this will increase the validity of recognizing houses as emergency and ensure the resettlement of housing in need of it as a matter of priority.
In addition, we continue to develop new approaches to the resettlement of emergency housing, taking into account the preservation of equal rights for various groups of citizens, including maintaining a balance in providing targeted support for both owners and tenants.
— What changes will be made in the system of capital repairs of apartment buildings in the coming years?
— A norm has entered into force that allows adjusting the overhaul program based on a technical inspection of an apartment building. The regional programs were formed in 2013 and set the deadlines for major repairs for decades to come — up to 2040. Today, most of the programs need adjustments.
For example, there is a replacement of drainage risers, but in many houses they are cast iron and durable, they have stood for 30 years and will last for a long time. Why change it if there are no complaints, blockages, leaks? We carried out a technical inspection and postponed the replacement to a later date. Conversely, if work is required, but the plan is for later periods, then they can be moved forward.
For example, the house was put up for renovation conditionally for 2035. The roof was good, but there were defects and leaks that could not be fixed locally. Previously, residents would have had to wait another 10 years, but now the law allows for the timing of work to be adjusted after the inspection. This is a very convenient rule that residents have been asking for for a long time, and we have discussed it with State Duma deputies.
In general, since the beginning of 2024, the program has repaired more than 42.7 thousand apartment buildings in 85 regions of the Russian Federation. This is 182.2 million square meters, and 6.9 million people live in them. First of all, engineering communications, elevators, roof, facades were repaired.
— And who will carry out this maintenance and decide when to carry out major repairs?
— Since September last year, the regions of the Russian Federation and the owners of premises in apartment buildings can initiate a technical inspection of the house by a specialized organization. The survey results may be the basis for adjusting the deadlines for the regional overhaul program. The adopted law (Federal Law No. 561 - Ed.) will allow synchronizing the deadlines for work with the actual technical condition of the house.
Now the results of the survey of houses in each region can affect the order of major repairs of systems and structural elements of the house. This increases the reasonableness of planning regional programs and the efficiency of spending the funds collected for repairs.
— Now there are proposals for a differentiated approach to charging for major repairs, depending on the equipment of houses and their construction. How will this mechanism be implemented?
— Taking into account the amount of funds in the accounts of the capital repair funds, the Ministry of Construction, with the involvement of the expert community, is currently studying regional practices, including the establishment of a differentiated contribution for capital repairs. We believe that this can be an effective tool, including in buildings with elevators.
The practice of introducing differentiated contributions is already being applied in a number of regions. For example, in the Orenburg, Kaluga, Tver, Murmansk, Pskov regions, the republics of Buryatia and Khakassia. The contribution may also depend on other design features, such as the number of storeys of the house, the material of the walls, climatic zones, and others.
We are preparing a federal bill on differentiated payment for capital repairs, which we will submit for discussion in 2025. We are currently working on the details, discussing them with deputies and senators, and consulting with the regions. We need to take a balanced approach to the draft law.
In addition, we have allowed the capital repair funds to centrally purchase equipment and materials. Moreover, this is not an obligation, but the right of the subject. Suppose there is a factory in the city of N that produces radiators. They have 20 houses listed in the annual renovation program for the replacement of heating systems. According to the old rules, a competition was held for each house, and 20 contractors themselves purchased different equipment and materials for houses separately, based on their own ideas about quality and benefits. Now, the capital repair fund can centrally purchase materials for the entire program and for all buildings. The regions requested this rate because it is easier for them to control the quality and prices of materials. This is more efficient, because wholesale purchases are always cheaper.
We also have experience in the regions where citizens are offered not to wait for scheduled repairs, conditionally, in 2035 or 2040, but to carry out major repairs in the coming years, but with the involvement of additional funds. However, they will have to pay more, and the amount is distributed among monthly payments. This is a voluntary initiative that has been well developed, for example, in the Orenburg region.
In this case, residents at the general meeting of owners decide that they are ready to pay an increased fee for capital repairs within a few years, and the fund makes it to them within these terms. The foundation, which has already raised these funds, also lends the work. The tenants must return the money to the fund within the time limits set by the decision of the general meeting of owners.
— What about the management companies that abandon troubled homes? What levers of influence can be applied to them?
— We cannot force them to manage apartment buildings if it is not profitable for them. The current legislation does not provide for this. Most management companies are private, and any joint—stock company or LLC is created to make a profit, which is fixed in their charters. But the worn-out fund also needs to be serviced. Here, the ways are as follows: to create municipal or regional management companies and support them, subsidize, subsidize, or pay for the maintenance of an apartment building should be of interest to the management company and ensure its profitability.
— So these should be state-owned management companies that will take over the maintenance of abandoned houses? Is a bill being prepared to create them?
— Indeed, the initiative to create guaranteeing management companies is being discussed. These should be municipal or regional organizations that will take over the maintenance of houses abandoned by other management companies without increasing the cost of their maintenance for residents. But then the shortfall in income of these management companies should be compensated at the expense of regional or municipal budgets.
In October last year, the State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill (No. 665863-8. — Ed.) aimed at creating conditions for the management of apartment buildings recognized as emergency and subject to demolition or reconstruction. It is currently being prepared for consideration in the second reading and is being discussed by State Duma deputies with interested federal executive authorities and housing and communal services experts.
The current version of the draft law does not provide that the guaranteeing management organization should be only a state organization. In addition, in some regions where a state-owned criminal code has not been established, a private company may be the guarantor.
"You can even make wooden sidewalks"
— Today, considerable funds are being allocated for the improvement of urban areas under the project for the formation of a comfortable urban environment (FCGS). But wouldn't it be better to use this money for the same repair of networks or residential buildings?
— The comfort of life is affected not only by a comfortable apartment, a warm house and the quality of public services, but also by the area as a whole. With reference to the FCGS program, we observe a situation that in settlements with a well-maintained environment, the outflow of residents decreases and even their growth is recorded.
There is a direct link between landscaping and the demand for residential real estate. Where courtyards are well-equipped, people often post photos of the surrounding area in apartment sales ads. That says a lot.
Facilities for landscaping are selected with the participation of residents. The FCGS program consists of two parts. The first is regional programs, and the second is based on the results of the victory in the competition "Small towns and historical settlements". Residents vote on what they need more: a playground or a sports ground, a park, a monument, a square, and so on. Last year, more than 17 million people voted, compared with 14 million a year earlier and 11.6 million earlier. This indicates a stable dynamics of citizens' activity.
— Are architects able to cope with the non-standard demands of residents?
— In many cases, we are talking about creating basic accessibility for display objects — hard surfaces that did not exist before, safe stairs, lighting, and benches for recreation.
The role of chief architects is very important. Their duty is to ensure the preservation of the exterior of the city. And technical solutions for unique places can be different. You can even make wooden sidewalks. For example, in forested areas, paths are built from granite chips with wooden sides.
— Does the Ministry of Construction support a more widespread dissemination of such creative ideas, such as wooden sidewalks? Where can such solutions appear?
— Now the trend towards environmental friendliness, rational use of resources, and improving the energy efficiency of buildings and structures is relevant all over the world. Architects are increasingly choosing natural, traditional materials such as wood for their design solutions in their modern vision. The tree was used in the Middle Ages for the construction of sidewalks in the Novgorod Republic. Nowadays, a large amount of good and inexpensive wood is needed to create walking routes from wooden coverings. This is most relevant for localities where craftsmen know how to work with it, as well as in those projects where the coverage load does not exceed certain indicators.
Creative solutions that fit into technical standards can become the highlight of a city or village, its unique feature, if done correctly.
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