A new measure has been proposed to combat utility defaulters

The Government proposes to temporarily limit the supply of electrical energy to the debtor in the event that he fails to comply within the prescribed period without good reason with the requirements contained in the executive document on the collection of debt for heat supply and (or) water supply and sewerage (sewage). Changes and additions are being made to the law “On Enforcement Proceedings”. The Supreme Council supported the law-in-draft in the first reading by a majority vote.

The relevant Committee on Regional Policy and Housing and Communal Services supported the Government's initiative, noting that government bodies have long been working on the problem of non-payment for consumed services of housing and communal services enterprises.

The Civil Code of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic contains a rule according to which the utility company supplying the service has the right to limit or suspend the supply of the service if payment for it is not made within 4 months, but the rule can be applied in practice only in relation to electricity.

The Government considers that turning off electricity due to non-payment or non-repayment of debts for water supply and heating services will lead to a reduction in accounts payable to these utility companies. After all, it is almost impossible to disconnect one separate room in an apartment building from a unified heating, water supply and sanitation system if the consumer does not pay for heat or water. Disconnection from these sources of life support poses a threat to human life and health.

The relevant committee on regional housing and communal services policy notes that previously introduced measures including limiting debtors’ travel outside the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are effective, but cannot affect all categories of debtors. Therefore, other methods of influencing systematic defaulters of utility bills are needed. Moreover electricity will be turned off for debts on heat and water after warnings and only on the basis of a court decision, according to the law-in-draft.

The parliamentarian noted that underpayment for consumed utilities entails unnecessary burdens on the state budget, and the budget is the taxes of all citizens and enterprises.

The Supreme Council, by a majority vote, supported in the first reading the draft law “On Enforcement Proceedings,” which introduces into this legislative act a new article 44-3 “Temporary restrictions on the supply of electrical energy to the debtor”. Work on the law-in-draft will continue.