Will they still take off? Experts talk about an increase in tariffs for housing and communal services in 2024

CrimeaPRESS reports:

In 2024, the increase in tariffs for utility services in the Russian Federation will be 9.8%, as follows from the forecast published by the Ministry of Economic Development on the socio-economic development of Russia for 2024 and for the planning period of 2025 and 2026. According to the forecast, in 2025 indexation will be 5.7%, in 2026 — 4%.

Housing and communal services tariffs are indexed once a year. This is a routine procedure designed to eliminate the consequences of inflation, equalize the balance of payments and support the work of housing and communal services organizations. The exception was the current year, when tariff indexation shifted — instead of July of the current year, it took place in December last year, and also amounted to 9%— said Izvestia Member of the State Duma Committee on Construction and Housing and Communal Services Sergei Kolunov.

As he explained, the increase in tariffs is necessary so that companies in the sector can continue their activities. Not negative, but at least zero.

As for fairness, the existing system does not allow indexation of payments for housing and communal services in an amount greater than 9%. The control is carried out by the FAS. Of course, this is far from a small percentage, but otherwise we will have a crisis in the housing and communal services sector, organizations will accumulate debts and lossesthe deputy emphasizes.

The last time such a significant increase in housing and communal services tariffs was 10 years ago, Popular Front analyst Pavel Sklyanchuk recalled.

Now this is due to the fact that tariffs were frozen this year. This decision will have three social consequences: there will be more citizens who will begin to receive subsidies for housing and communal services when the receipt amount exceeds 22% of monthly income, an increase in non-payments and a reduction in the volume of individual consumption of utilities. In the future, indexation should be divided into 12 months so that people have more time to readjust. In addition, special bank deposits should appear as a safety net; the interest rate on such a deposit can be tied to the level of indexation of housing and communal services tariffs, which are limited by the level of inflationsays the expert.

Earlier that day, Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov noted that the country’s GDP growth is expected to be 2.8% in 2023. He noted that inflation is projected to slow down to 4.5% in 2024, and from 2025 the figure will reach the target level of 4.0%.

source: News

Crimea news | CrimeaPRESS: latest news and main events