Housing and communal services tariffs will be raised again – already by 9%: the expert explained the reason

Before the New Year, the Russians are in for an unpleasant surprise. Housing and communal tariffs, which we have already increased by 4% from July 1 this year, will be raised again. Already from December 1 – and not by 4, but by as much as 9. Second time in a year. Thus, in 2022, the utility bills of Russians will become heavier by an average of 13%, which is quite commensurate with the expected level of annual inflation.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development, such a measure (it is called advanced indexation) is necessary to upgrade heating mains, water pipes, and other bottlenecks where utility networks often break. In short, to ensure their uninterrupted operation of the housing and communal services sector.

Recall that in Russia a strict rule has long been established: to raise tariffs once a year, from July 1. Something serious must have happened if the authorities violated their own established order. For example, high inflation, far gone beyond the 4% that tariffs were raised in July…

We are promised that the new increase in utility bills will not increase very noticeably. For a family of three, an average of 324 rubles per month. And that subsequently the next increase in utility tariffs in Russia will take place not on July 1, 2023, but as much as on July 1, 2024.

I must say that this news even for reputable experts sounded like a bolt from the blue. They say that an increase of 9% is really a lot and where the figure came from, that the payment will increase by an average of only 324 rubles – they do not understand. And what is still unclear – why raise tariffs for the second time in a year? After all, the salaries of Russians do not increase in proportion to inflation, the standard of living is already going down … In general, analysts are at a loss.

However, we have found a specialist who soberly (albeit contrary to public opinion) looks at the upcoming price increase.

“There is no such thing as housing and communal services tariffs, but there are utility tariffs: these are heat and electricity, hot and cold water supply, gas, disposal of MSW to landfills,” Pavel Arkhangelsky, an expert in the field of housing and communal services, expresses his point of view. – All these services are growing, as well as inflation. Now in Russia it is 14%, and since the beginning of the year it has been all 18%. And in the country since July 1, tariffs have been raised by only 4%, many times less.

And what will, for example, the director of a water utility, who was compensated from the budget for expenses 4 times less than necessary, do in these conditions? He will start saving in both big and small. Rusty pipes that should be changed will be left in the ground, perhaps, they say, in the winter they will not “explode”, they will carry. Chemical reagents, which his company consumes in large quantities, will not be purchased. He simply does not have money for this, and other purchases.

Or take electrical networks. They have a planned replacement of poles, cables, wires, transformer substations. Also there is no money, he will also save.

So ask yourself: will it be better in your apartment in the winter after such savings?

– It is clear that it will be worse. But where are the taxpayers? When tariffs were raised from July 1, we were told that this was a “sparing” increase, since inflation was high, and food prices were rising all over the place. And that public utilities should not get into the pocket of the consumer. And then they took it – and climbed …

– You can’t fool the economy. My opinion is that tariffs should be raised at the level of inflation and nothing less, this should not even be discussed. If they are compensated in a smaller amount, in winter we are provided with various utility accidents. In severe frosts, hot “geysers” will begin to beat from under the ground, apartments will be left without heat or without water. When it was announced that tariffs would increase by 4% from July of this year, I, knowing the “communal kitchen”, was not happy about this. There are no miracles in the world, the quality of housing and communal services will greatly decrease. Although, as you understand, it is already not very high with us. Let’s hope that now the country will winter more or less successfully.