Utilities Debts in Ukraine: 109 Billion Can Be Transferred to Collectors.

According to ТСН: Ukraine is experiencing an increase in unpaid utility debts, and some utility companies are already considering the possibility of working with collectors for their recovery. This information was announced by the head of the Union of Consumers of Utility Services Oleg Popenko.

"The growth of utility debts is gaining momentum every year. And in fact, the state is unwilling to influence these processes," emphasized Oleg Popenko.

According to the Opendatabot.ua resource, which regularly publishes reports on household debts for utility services, there are currently over 794 thousand enforcement proceedings recorded in the Unified Register of Debtors.

"60% of these debts have reached a deadlock: formally they are completed, but not closed — and it has not been possible to recover the money. This year, 194 thousand new debts have appeared in the Register. Ukrainians most often accumulate debts for heating. More than a quarter of debtors are pensioners. The record for the number of debts is held by a 71-year-old pensioner from Mykolaiv region: 28 proceedings, all for electricity," this resource points out.

Popenko also notes that recently debts have significantly increased.

"If we look at debts as of the end of 2021, the amount was 81.3 billion hryvnias. As of August 1 this year, not accounting for debts in occupied territories, it amounted to about 109 billion hryvnias. Although by March 1, this amount had already reached 130 billion. Therefore, a large part of the population's debts has been paid off. But the indebtedness will continue to grow. Unfortunately, the state needs to work on how to influence these processes so that people become more solvent. One issue of subsidies does not solve the situation. Solvent citizens can sign a restructuring agreement, but not all utility companies are willing to do so," emphasizes Popenko.

He also notes that consumers who have electricity debts exceeding two months risk being left without service supply.

According to Popenko, consumers who owe for heating more than 10 thousand hryvnias may receive a court notice demanding debt payment. The worst indicators of indebtedness are recorded precisely in the field of thermal energy supply.

Utility Debts Can Be Transferred to Collectors

Commenting on the debt situation, Popenko states that some companies are trying to collect utility debts through collectors, but this practice is still not widespread.

"Many refuse (from these methods of influence on debtors — Ed.)," he says, explaining that this can be considered a political decision since many utility companies belong to local self-government bodies.

"The latter, as a rule, do not cooperate with collectors. Thus, the practice of such cooperation is not everywhere. However, discussions about this (involving collectors — Ed.) are ongoing. Private companies and private housing management offices use this practice," he summarizes.

Recall that earlier it was reported that utility tariffs in Ukraine have risen. Despite the slowdown in inflation, tariffs are still increasing.

Thus, the situation with utility debts remains complicated. The growth of indebtedness indicates the need for government measures to improve the financial capacity of the population. Challenges related to the payment of utility services require a comprehensive approach and new initiatives to prevent further debt accumulation and ensure stability in the energy sector.