Ukraine is changing the rules for calculating utility bills for damaged or destroyed housing. The new rules provide for the cancellation of payments and a clear mechanism for fixing damages.
When you don't have to pay for utilities
According to by the draft law No. 13155, Ukrainians are exempted from paying for housing and communal services if they own their own home:
- completely destroyed
- damaged and uninhabitable
In such cases:
- accrual is stopped in full or in part
- payment is not made until the housing is restored
The decision is based on an official inspection of the property.
How the new mechanism works
The procedure looks like this:
- Commission records damage to housing
- Data is shared with authorities and service providers
- The accrual is automatically stopped
Important:
- the adjustment takes place from the date of destruction
- no need to contact each supplier on your own
What will happen to different types of housing
The law separates the situations:
- Destroyed housing → utility bills are cancelled in full
- Damaged housing → payments are suspended for the period of ineligibility
- Houses with condominiums → decisions can be made by co-owners
There is also no charge for the maintenance of the building if it is not fit for use.
An important new norm
The law introduces:
- Prohibition of debt enforcement, that arose during the occupation
- mandatory recording of losses for further compensation
This protects owners from unfair payments.
When the new rules will apply
The new rules apply:
- during the entire period of martial law
- more 1 year after its completion
Conclusion.
Draft Law No. 13155 fundamentally changes the approach to utility payments:
- People will no longer pay for destroyed housing
- an automatic write-off mechanism is introduced
- The state is streamlining the accounting of losses
This is one of the key steps to protect Ukrainians who have lost their homes due to the war.
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