Do not touch the seal on the counter!

It is good when the apartment has individual metering devices. Residents pay only for what they actually consume. They don’t pay for a neighbor whose taps are always dripping, they don’t pay for an emergency pipe in the basement that is constantly leaking. Too bad it’s not enough for some people. Such cunning people do not just want to save money – they want not to pay at all. Well, almost completely.

Therefore, special control seals are placed on metering devices. There are other designs that allow you to determine that something has been “chemized” with the counter. Of course, the management company, HOA, housing cooperative or resource supply organization is obliged to notify the tenant that there are such control devices on the meter and that their violation will lead to consequences.

Another check is coming. Experts check three parameters. Firstly, the meter itself must be intact, without mechanical damage, holes or cracks, the glass must fit snugly. Secondly, they look at the integrity of those same seals. It is also recorded whether the meter was affected by magnetic fields. For this, a special label is used, which changes color under the influence of such fields. They also check if there is free access to the switching elements of the meter – in other words, to those places on the pipes or wires that turn it.

Any of these violations is considered unauthorized interference with the operation of the meter. An appropriate act will be drawn up, and the owner of the device will get the money.

First, he will be ordered to replace him. This is perhaps the smallest of the troubles.

Secondly, a fine may be issued. According to article 7.19 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the fine for unaccounted use of heat or electricity, as well as gas, for individuals ranges from 10 to 15 thousand rubles.

Thirdly, the management company will recalculate. The date of installation of the seals or the date of the last inspection is taken as a starting point. However, if this check was more than three months ago, then the recalculation is done three months before the discovery of the violation. However, this does not make it easier for the consumer, because a multiplier factor of 10 is added to the average consumption standards. According to the average standards, do you consume 15 cubic meters of water per month? Please pay for 150!

Until recently, the Internet was full of advice – how to twist the counter. However, these craftsmen were taken seriously. Now for advertising such “devices” and even just tips, you can also get a fine. A person engaged in such advertising will have to pay a fine of 2 to 2.5 thousand rubles, and a legal entity – from 40 to 50 thousand rubles.

Yana Mayevskaya.

Photo by Andrey Nikerichev / Moskva Agency