The lawyer spoke about the fines for using magnets on counters

The use of magnets to distort meter readings threatens Russians with a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles, as well as imprisonment for up to two years. Ivan Kurbakov, a lawyer and member of the Russian Bar Association, told about this on April 26.

"Such actions are subject to administrative liability under Part 1 of Article 7.19 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation "Unauthorized connection to electric networks, heating networks, oil pipelines, oil product pipelines, gas pipelines." It provides for a fine of 10,000 to 200,000 rubles," RIA Novosti quoted the expert as saying.

Kurbakov noted that residents are prohibited from interfering with the operation of meters, including using any devices and programs to distort readings. When magnets are detected, the resource supply company will recalculate. The violator will have to fully compensate the damage to the housing and communal services company, including the cost of unaccounted-for resources and penalties.

It clarifies that criminal liability is possible under Article 165 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Causing property damage by deception or abuse of trust") — up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 300 thousand rubles.

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Dmitry Bondar, a public figure and housing and communal services expert, said on April 14 that changes to the facade of an apartment building, including the installation of dryers or other structures, require the consent of the majority of owners and may entail liability in their absence. According to the expert, the placement of structures without approval may qualify as a violation of the rules for the use of residential premises.