Dirt in the entrance halls and garbage near the building – this is an annoying but absolutely realistic situation for the majority of multi-apartment buildings in Ukraine. But it is possible to overcome this mess. 

To do so, you need to address a utility which provides a service on maintenance of the building, structures and building territory to you on the basis of an agreement. The list of services provided by such utilities is indicated in the Law of Ukraine “On Housing and Communal Services” and may include the following: 

а) cleaning of indoor premises and building territory;

b) sanitary and technical maintenance;

c) servicing of internal building networks;

d) elevator maintenance;

e) lighting of common areas;

f) routine repair; and

g) domestic waste removal, etc.

You should remember that solid domestic waste removal service can be both a separate communal service with its own provider, or one of the components within a service on maintenance of the building, structures and building territory. 

Amount of payment for maintenance of the building, structures and building territory is calculated by multiplying tariff by total area of an apartment or non-residential premises.

In case of interruption in providing services, non-providing or providing of services not in full amount, you have the right to re-calculation. As of today, the procedure for making re-calculation of payment for services on maintenance of the building, structures and building territory is determined by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine # 970 dated 12.11.2013. The claim certificate from the consumers is submitted according to the established form and is registered by the provider’s authorized persons in the registry of claim certificates.

In case of provider’s decision to satisfy the claim, re-calculation is made:

• during the following month after the date of receipt by the provider of the claim certificate. 

• for all consumers in the building to whom services were not provided.

Information on re-calculation is shown by the provider in the payment document and/or is placed in its web site, with indication of data on interruptions in proving services, non-providing or providing of services not in full amount, amount and period of re-calculation. Should there be disagreement, the dispute between the provider and consumer should be resolved in court.

If the provider consistently does not fulfill its obligations, you should think about changing the provider.

How I can select or change the provider of housing and communal services?

Co-owners of a multi-apartment building (owners of the apartments and non-residential premises) may independently select or replace the providers of housing and communal services. Should they not do so, the provider is designated by the local self-government authority according to the Procedure for Designation of Provider of Housing and Communal Services for Residential Stock.

Newly selected utility that will be providing housing and communal services to you is obliged to: 

– conclude with each apartment owner an agreement with clear list of services; 

– calculate tariff for maintenance of the building, structures and building territory;

– place in the relevant media information on intention to change or set a new tariff for the building; and

– approve a new tariff in the local self-government authorities.

But no matter which company provides services on maintenance of the building and building territory, you should remember that all co-owners will be obliged to:

1) be responsible for observing the rules of cleanliness in the building;

2) ensure fulfillment of all works on maintaining cleanliness; and

3) control quality and timeliness of such works. 

Experience proves that this works best when the co-owners establish a homeowners association.