How does the MKD heating system work?
The heating system of apartment buildings is an organized network of pipes connected to centralized equipment. The coolant, hot water, moves through the pipes from the heat source. It enters the MKD, where its further supply is regulated by inlet valves. When the valves are open, the coolant is directed to a common riser connected to the radiators and radiators of each apartment.
The MKD heating system differs from analogues in private houses in that the source of heating the coolant is located outside the building. This means that the totality of its elements is part of a central system that supplies heat to a whole complex of residential and non-residential premises.
More about what the heating system of an apartment building is.
Let's clarify the situation
At the beginning of the article, we found out where to complain when there are cold radiators in an apartment. But you don’t have to panic, but try to figure out the reason for the lack of heating yourself. If you find that the riser is hot and the battery is cold, this indicates that hot water is not flowing into it. Check the position of the tap providing coolant access to the apartment to see if it is locked. Maybe you just forgot to open it. Make sure that the riser is not blocked due to work in the basement.
System operation and maintenance
The mechanism that brings heat to apartments is multi-stage. Consequently, a separate organization is responsible for each section of the heating system. Inside the house, in accordance with the standards, the service organization inspects, repairs and evaluates the condition of utility networks:
- Management Company;
- housing cooperative;
- homeowners association.
As a rule, they hire a specialist to do this. He identifies and, if necessary, corrects equipment malfunctions, evaluates the quality of services and possible causes of excessive heat consumption. The inspection is usually carried out once a year and coincides with the start of commissioning of the system.
Learn more about how to organize the maintenance of the heating system of an apartment building.
Where to go if the batteries are cold
- The first thing citizens need to do is contact their Management Company (MC) or HOA. Detailed information and contacts can be found on the Moscow House website; you just need to enter the address.
For its part, the management company must carry out the technical measures necessary to turn on the heating. If the problem turns out to be faulty batteries, they will be offered to replace them.
Otherwise, ask the utility company to provide a certificate confirming that there are no traffic jams and that the batteries are working properly. If they refuse, then invite two neighbors and draw up a document yourself in free form with the recorded temperature in the room.
Next, a written claim must be sent to the management company or to the heat supply company, if the contract was concluded with it directly. The letter must state the inadequate quality of services and request a recalculation.
If consideration of the claim is delayed, you need to contact the Moscow United Energy Company (MOEK). They solve issues of heating and heat supply to houses, as well as accidents on heating mains.
Legal regulation
Regulation of all aspects of public services to the population begins with regulations. The rules for providing the population with communal resources are regulated (hereinafter referred to as Resolution No. 354). Heating quality requirements are reflected in Section VI of Appendix 1 to Resolution No. 354.
From the documents provided you can find out who and how to complain about the lack of heat in the apartment.
Features of the provision of heating services are recorded in GOST R 51617-2014. National standard of the Russian Federation. Housing and communal services and management of apartment buildings. Public utilities. General requirements" and ". Interstate standard. Residential and public buildings. Indoor microclimate parameters”, approved in the order of Rosstandart dated July 12, 2012 No. 191-st.
How to write a complaint?
Having determined where to go if there is no heating, you need to file a complaint. But regardless of which structure the claim is sent to, it is a fairly effective tool for influencing unscrupulous utility workers. It is only important to draw up the document correctly and competently.
Regardless of where to contact if there is no heating, the complaint is drawn up as follows:
- In the upper right corner you must indicate the name of the structure to which the document is being submitted. Below is the tenant's full name and residential address. In order for the organization to contact the owner of the apartment, you should write a contact phone number;
- in the middle of the sheet the problem is detailed. It should be indicated from what date there has been no heating, what measures were taken, which authorities were contacted and to whom exactly they were contacted. If there are acts or other important papers, copies of them must be attached to the document;
- in conclusion, it is necessary to state the requirement that the selected structure take appropriate measures to solve the existing problem. It would also be useful to add that if the heating issue is not resolved, then in the future the complaint will be sent to court;
- at the very end, the date of drawing up the document is indicated and the person who compiled the complaint puts his signature.
Knowing who to complain to about the lack of heating is not enough; you also need to competently draft a complaint. Of course, you can find a sample on the Internet or fill out a ready-made template. But drawing up a document on your own is still not easy. In order for a complaint to be drawn up correctly, you need to know various legal aspects and nuances. If there is no experience in drawing up similar appeals, then there is a very high probability that the claim will be written unreasonably, and they simply will not consider it.
In this regard, when filing a complaint, it is better to seek help from an experienced lawyer. A specialist in this field knows all the nuances of the current legislation and will help you avoid existing pitfalls. You can consult with a lawyer online. Today there are many forums. Consultation can be either paid or free. Remote recommendations from a legal specialist guarantee savings of effort, time and money for applicants. The lawyer will tell you what to do if there is no heating in the apartment, where to complain in each specific case, and answer all your questions.
Regardless of who to complain to if there is no heating, it is advisable to file a collective claim. Since public appeals, as a rule, are considered necessarily and first of all. Usually the decision is made from 10 to 30 days after receipt of the document. The complaint must be submitted in several copies. Residents of the house must have a second version of the document in their hands.
But before you decide who to complain to about the lack of heating, you need to check whether the tap is closed, which is blocking the path of the coolant. In this case, just turn the lever and heating in the apartment will resume. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace heating radiators.
Knowing where to complain if there is no heating, teaming up with residents of the house who have a similar problem, competently drafting a complaint and sending it to the appropriate authority, you can achieve a quick solution to the heating issue.
Temperature parameters for apartments
Thermal standards for residential premises have been established by law to ensure comfortable conditions for residents. In accordance with the standards, the temperature in the apartment during the heating season must be within the limits presented in the table.
Type of room in the apartment | Temperature norm during the heating season, °C |
Living room | 18 |
Living corner room | 20 |
Bathroom | 25 |
Toilet located separate from the bathroom | 18 |
Combined bathroom | 25 |
Kitchen | 18 |
Thus, if the apartment is 18 degrees, there is no reason to complain about poor heating, because for a living room this is an acceptable value. Violation of these parameters is the reason for official measurements and elimination of the problem.
Find out more about the normal temperature in an apartment during the heating season.
What to do if housing and communal services workers do not solve the problem
Most often, housing and communal services representatives do not resolve the issue related to cold batteries because they want to save money or simply do not have professional specialists on their staff.
If 2 weeks after the housing and communal services worker draws up the act, the batteries still remain cold, then more effective and serious measures must be used. These include contacting other organizations, which include the Housing Inspectorate.
The employees of this institution will conduct the research again, after which another act will be drawn up. Next, a trial will be carried out with the housing and communal services sector itself.
How to change the management company if it does not respond to residents’ complaints? See here.
Rospotrebnadzor
Important! This organization was created specifically to protect the rights of citizens, so many problems can be solved with its help.
If the quality of the provided utilities is low, then the residents of the house can contact Rospotrebnadzor with a complaint about the housing and communal services or management company.
To obtain the desired result, you must draw up a correct complaint, to which all documents related to the inspection performed are attached.
Special instruments are used to measure temperature.
Further, Rospotrebnadzor will apply different methods of influence to management companies, and they are usually considered effective.
Authorities
A complaint can even be sent to the local administration, whose employees have the ability to influence housing and communal services in numerous ways.
Important! The most effective method is considered to be holding the company liable on the basis of Art. 7.23 Code of Administrative Offences.
Article 7.23. Violation of standards for providing the population with public utilities
Violation of the normative level or regime for providing the population with public utilities -
shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine on officials in the amount of five hundred to one thousand rubles; for legal entities - from five thousand to ten thousand rubles.
The difficulty is that measures can be taken over a long period of time, and such minor problems are not always taken into account by government officials.
For greater efficiency, it is advisable to draw up a collective complaint from several neighbors.
Prosecutor's office
If the above methods do not bring the desired result, then it is the prosecutor’s office employees who can contribute to an effective solution to the problem.
A complaint sent to the Prosecutor's Office will become the basis for the initiation of serious proceedings, on the basis of which it will be revealed:
- for what reason do apartments actually have cold radiators;
- why the housing and communal services did not solve the problem on their own;
- for what reasons other organizations were unable to help the applicant;
- Why is the solution to this issue being delayed?
When contacting the prosecutor's office with a complaint, you must definitely send the act itself with the records of the engineer working in the housing and communal services to this organization.
FAS
This service can also have a significant impact on companies that provide utility services.
Therefore, a complaint to this organization often becomes an effective way to solve the problem.
If there are cold radiators in the apartment, where can I complain? Watch the video:
Usually, a complaint sent to this organization helps housing and communal services workers begin to resolve the issue more quickly, so the necessary repair work is carried out soon.
mass media
Often, residents of houses are forced to turn to various media, since none of the above methods bring the desired result, so people are forced to live in a cold apartment for a long time in winter.
You need to contact representatives of different media in order to interest several such organizations at once. It is advisable to submit applications not only to local companies, but also to apply to television, involving various city authorities.
Important! Disseminating information about the problem can really attract a lot of attention to the residents of the house, which will certainly have a positive effect on the speed and quality of repair work.
After the release of different videos, different specialists and officials will be involved in the problem.
A variety of serious measures will be applied to the management company that is responsible for the house, so usually this method is really effective.
In order to attract the attention of different media, you need to carefully and correctly make appeals, since they must be interesting and unusual, otherwise you may be refused assistance.
Filing a claim in court
The extreme measure of influence on the Criminal Code regarding low temperature in residential premises is an appeal to the court. It is the solution of this organization that can be an effective way to solve the problem.
This takes into account the following features:
- the statement of claim is drawn up correctly;
- you need to be prepared to prepare a really large number of different documents that are submitted to the court;
- a certain fee must be paid for going to court, but these funds can be collected from the defendant, who is the Criminal Code;
- The defendant will be represented by an experienced and professional lawyer, so the plaintiff must prepare responsibly and seriously for the meeting, and can also use the help of a lawyer.
The court will listen to the opinion of each side, so all statements by the plaintiff must be thoughtful and supported by evidence.
Temperature indicators for batteries
The air temperature in the apartment will reach standard values only if the proper level of heating of the battery is ensured. The legislator has not established a minimum value for the radiator temperature, but it is clear that a barely warm device will not be able to maintain the microclimate of the home at a level of +18-25 °C.
More attention is paid to the upper temperature limit.
If a two-pipe heating system is used, the permissible maximum heating of the radiator in a living room is 95 °C. With a one-pipe system, the maximum cannot exceed 115°C.
The optimal value is considered to be 85-90°C. It is determined by the practical purposes of operating the equipment, since at higher rates the heating system fails faster.
Read more about how temperature standards for heating radiators in an apartment are determined.
Temperature standards according to law
There is a certain Russian standard for housing and communal services: GOST R 51617-2000 .
In accordance with it, the temperature inside the living space should be kept between 18 and 25 degrees .
At the same time, there are standards for attics , basements , and staircases .
The temperature in the space near the apartments also affects how many degrees there will be inside the room.
Standard indicators for air temperature in a residential area are set out in section 6, paragraph 15 of Appendix 1 of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354 of 05/06/2011 .
In accordance with it, residential premises must be heated to a temperature of at least 18 degrees (corner rooms up to 20 degrees).
In those areas where the lowest temperatures reach -31 degrees , the norm for living quarters is 20 degrees , and for corner rooms 22 degrees .
In other words, the minimum temperature regime is set at 18 degrees , and for corner rooms at 20. In areas with severe winters, the indicator is increased by two degrees.
In accordance with the same paragraph 15, the permissible temperature increase can only be 4 degrees .
At night , that is, from 00.00 to 5.00 in the morning, the temperature decrease should not exceed 3 degrees .
A decrease in air temperature during the day is unacceptable.
If you refer to SanPiN 2.1.2 2645-10, you can find out about the following standard indicators:
- the normal temperature regime for the room should be from 20 to 22 degrees ;
- for a bathroom , as well as a sanitary unit, the temperature can be 16-26 degrees ;
- 19-21 degrees is considered optimal for the toilet and kitchen ;
- if the bathroom and toilet are combined , then 24-26 degrees .
If the actual temperature differs from the established norm, this is a violation that requires an immediate solution.
You can cope with this situation by contacting the relevant department.
Common house heat meter in MKD
Installation of a common house meter occurs solely on the basis of the decision of the residents of the house. A simple type meter is a device that collects data from a flow meter built into the supply pipe and information from temperature sensors. Based on these indicators, the device calculates the consumed heat. The final value is displayed on the display.
Since the installation of the heat meter is carried out by a specialized organization, to calculate the economic efficiency of the device, its cost, the price of installation and subsequent maintenance should be added up. Based on these data, a conclusion can be drawn.
In apartment houses equipped with meters, heating fees are calculated taking into account three criteria:
- apartment area;
- general household consumption;
- tariff determined by the regional authorities of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation.
More about why a communal heat meter is installed in an apartment building.
When is the heating fee due to be recalculated?
Many homeowners are concerned about the question: will there be a recalculation of heating fees?
Of course, solving the issue with cold batteries is a clear plus, but many require financial compensation.
If the temperature was below 10 degrees than required according to established standards, then there is a possibility of recalculation .
If the temperature decreases by 5 degrees, making such a request will not bring results .
Each situation has its own individual characteristics. Consult a lawyer to resolve the issue. Sometimes a recalculation is possible if a family with a child has had problems with changing the temperature in the room for a long time
You can prove your case in court, then there is a chance to get a recalculation if the court sides with the plaintiff.
The heating payment is reduced by 0.15% for each missing degree.
For clarity, consider the following example:
At the time the measurement was taken, the temperature in the room was 16 degrees , that is, a deviation of two degrees. This temperature was maintained for 10 days or 240 hours.
The formula looks like this:
This means that heating costs are reduced by 72% . If the average monthly payment is 3,000 rubles , then for the past month the consumer will be credited 840 rubles .
Why do heating interruptions occur?
The reasons for malfunctions in the heating system are varied. So, problems can arise due to:
- poor quality work of the service provider;
- heat loss during transportation;
- errors in the operation of the heating system in a house or apartment;
- city accidents.
Cold pipes during the heating season are a reason to check the equipment or look for another problem that is interfering with heating the home. You can take some actions yourself, but it is better to contact a service organization. Specialists on its staff will take the necessary measurements and eliminate breakdowns.
Formation of air jams
The reasons why the heating radiator in the apartment does not heat may be due to the presence of air pockets that impede the free movement of the coolant through the elements of the system. This problem typically occurs when:
- when draining and filling the system with water, air bubbles penetrate;
- the tightness of the system is broken;
- air is formed by the release of oxygen when water is heated, and so on.
Often the problem can be detected by hearing the characteristic gurgling of the coolant.
A more objective test: touch the radiators in all rooms of the home and compare the temperature of the lower and upper parts of the radiator. If the heating radiators in the apartment are half cold, you should first bleed the air in the system. This can be done using air vents located in rooms on the upper floors of the house.
Problems with the shut-off valves
The quality of shut-off valves is important for the normal functioning of heating devices. However, in practice you can often encounter its malfunctions. If, for example, when the riser is hot, a cold bottom of the radiator is detected, the first step is to check the position of the valves. They must be open at the radiator inlet.
If the valves are open, you need to assess the condition of the fittings. Long-term use of batteries causes the shut-off valves to accumulate dirt and scale.
This difficulty can be overcome. In this case, an inspection of the tap with cleaning or complete replacement of the shut-off valves will help.
So, if the bottom of the heating radiator in the apartment does not heat, you will have to check all the devices and mechanisms.
System clogged
The heating pipe system, including the radiator itself, can become clogged with various deposits over time, partially or completely blocking the flow of coolant. This usually leads to the cessation of heating or deterioration of the heat transfer of the battery.
It is quite simple to establish that the cause of the cold in the apartment is the blockage: you just need to open the Mayevsky tap and drain a little water into the prepared container. Dirty fluid indicates that the system is clogged. And, most likely, this is why the bimetallic heating radiator in the apartment does not heat well.
Pipes are cleaned only using special equipment. And cleaning the battery is as follows:
- The radiator is dismantled.
- Sections are separated from each other.
- The elements are washed with a stream of water under pressure, for example in a bathroom.
- A solution of soda ash or vinegar is poured into them.
- The sections are washed again.
- The process ends with assembly and installation.
A blockage can sometimes also explain why there is a cold return in an apartment building and the same temperature regime is not provided in all apartments.
Low pressure or coolant temperature
The reason for weak heating of the room should also be sought in insufficiently heated coolant or low pressure when it is supplied.
The most obvious explanation is the disadvantages in the operation of the boiler room. Most likely, the coolant initially does not warm up to the required level. On the way to the house, the water cools even more, so when it enters the apartment’s radiator, its temperature drops to levels insufficient to heat the room.
If one battery in the apartment is cold, the source of the problem is probably inside the house or room.
First of all, it is worth opening all the valves - many residents forget that they closed them at the end of the heating season. You can easily resolve this issue in your own premises. If the reason lies in the equipment of the neighboring apartment, it is better to enlist the support of a service organization.
Incorrect system setup
If the radiators in all rooms heat up to different temperatures, there is a high probability of incorrect settings of the heating system. When adjusted correctly, it should ensure uniform heat distribution.
This problem results in more hot water flowing into one appliance and less into the other. This can be solved by partially closing the valve on a hot battery and fully opening it on a cold one.
If these actions do not lead to the desired changes, you need to check if there is a blockage in the faulty radiator. Perhaps this is the reason why the heating radiator in the apartment cools down.
Damage to utility life support systems
Sometimes the reason is more global, for example, when a heating main breaks. In these situations, not just one house, but an entire block is left without heat. Such incidents are accidents on public life support systems. They are eliminated by the emergency housing and communal services service - a structure that regularly monitors the condition of the utility system and ensures its uninterrupted functioning.
Heating problems in an apartment building must be corrected immediately. And if residents discover the accident on their own, they should report what they saw to the emergency dispatch service of the housing maintenance office.
Learn what to do in the event of a utility failure.
Airlock threat
There are several reasons why there are cold radiators in an apartment with the onset of the heating season. And this problem occurs for many residents every year. Moreover, in one apartment building, some have good heating, while others are still cold. One of the most common situations is the accumulation of air in the system. If gurgling is heard in the battery, then it is coming from an air lock that needs to be released.
The air accumulated in the pipes prevents the free movement of water, which should continuously circulate to heat the room. In addition, air is not able to conduct heat. This results in the riser being hot and the battery being cold. The presence of air accumulations reduces the wear life of heating devices and causes rust.
Who is responsible for the quality of heating services in an apartment building?
When naming who is responsible for heating in an apartment building, it is impossible to single out one organization, since this scheme involves the companies servicing the building, the housing office, and resource suppliers. Most of the responsibilities in the provision of utility services are assigned to service organizations - management companies (MCs) and homeowners' associations (HOAs).
These organizations cannot control all issues, since their area of activity only includes creating conditions and monitoring the normal operation of heating systems inside the house.
The homeowners' association or management company are those who are responsible for the heat in the apartment, in particular, monitoring the temperature standards of equipment and residential premises, as well as the level of pressure and heating of the coolant at the entrance and exit from the house. Their area of responsibility also includes maintenance of building utility networks.
The housing office, in turn, is responsible for the condition of the main networks leading to the connection point of the heating system of a residential building.
The resource supplying organization is obliged to ensure heating and delivery of the coolant in accordance with the standards, as well as control its pressure while moving through the main pipes.
Remote heating control system
Many residents of country houses or empty apartments install a remote heating system. This makes it quite easy to monitor the temperature in the house and manage it effectively. Heating control occurs using a telephone via GSM network standards. Turning off or on the heating via SMS is a very convenient option for controlling the heating system from a distance.
GSM controllers can be connected to an electric, gas or convective heating system. The only thing is that you need an automation system and a good mobile signal. All data about changes in temperature conditions will be sent via SMS message.
Thus, the temperature in the apartment can be monitored from a distance by installing a remote system. Heating problems are not uncommon for apartment residents. The reasons for the lack of heat can be different. It is important to know what to do and where to complain about the lack of heating in the house. And the ability to competently write a complaint will increase the chances of a quick solution to the problem.
What to do if it's cold at home
Before deciding what to do if the radiators in the apartment are barely warm, you should first find out whether this problem exists only with one owner of the premises or whether all residents of the house are faced with it. When the situation affects the entire house, it is better to act together.
If you discover unsatisfactory heating quality, you must immediately notify the responsible and controlling organizations by calling them or submitting a written statement. If the heating is bad, the following can help:
- service organization: homeowners' association, management company, housing construction cooperative;
- resource supply company;
- emergency dispatch service of housing office;
- housing inspection.
Where to call if there is no heating in the apartment
The easiest way is to notify the responsible organization by telephone. In addition, in this case, there is a possibility that its representative will immediately be able to establish the reason for the lack of heating. Therefore, it is better to keep emergency numbers handy to save time.
From the following list you can find out where to call if there is no heat:
- to the management organization: management company, homeowners' association, housing cooperative. She has information about the situation in the house and data on major accidents in the residential area;
- to the emergency dispatch service if it is obvious that the cause of the heating interruption is caused by an accident;
- to the service provider (resource supply organization), if it has been established that the coolant temperature does not meet the standard;
- municipal and regional authorities. As a rule, at the beginning of the season they open a special hotline.
A call to any of these organizations must be recorded. The dispatcher can make an appropriate entry, for example, in the citizen complaints log.
Such a mark will help confirm that the contractor and the supplier have identified a discrepancy between the services provided and the established quality. Otherwise, the residents' statements will remain unfounded. Therefore, it is important not only to know who to call, but also to make sure that your message does not go unnoticed.
Where and how to apply
You can also inform the responsible organizations about the lack of heating in writing. But in this case, first it is advisable to submit the document to the institution responsible for providing utilities to the residents of the house, that is, a management company, a homeowners' association or a housing cooperative.
Having determined the place where to complain if the radiators in the apartment are slightly warm, you should begin to draw up a written statement, preferably in duplicate. The complaint should be personally taken to the office of the service company, taking with you a second copy, on which the employee will put a registration stamp, date and signature.
Sending a document by mail will greatly increase the waiting time for the issue to be resolved.
There is no standard application form with which many residents try to eliminate the cold in their apartment. The claim can be presented in any form, but it is worth including the following key information:
- data of the management organization and its representative: name, coordinates and full name;
- details and coordinates of the applicant: full name, address, telephone number;
- Title of the document;
- a statement of circumstances indicating that the heating in the house is poor;
- requirements;
- an appendix, if you can back up your words with evidence: a graph of measurements, photos of pipe break locations, and so on;
- date and signature.
A sample application looks like this.
The application is accepted for consideration after registration.
Analysis of the situation and drawing up a report on non-compliance with the quality of service
If the service organization cannot immediately explain or eliminate the reason that led to poor heating, it is obliged to send its employee to the house to conduct an inspection and draw up a report.
The time and date must be agreed upon with the residents, but, according to the regulations, the inspection is carried out no later than two hours from the moment the information is received from the service consumer.
After conducting an inspection and measurements, the specialist records the data obtained in a report, which must be signed by the tenant and a representative of the organization.
If the latter has ignored the request, the tenant has the right to draw up an inspection report on his own. This document can be submitted, for example, to the state housing inspection. She will conduct a new examination and take action based on its results.
What to do to improve the quality of service
Residents should know in advance where to go if the apartment is very cold and there is no heating. If a malfunction is discovered, you should immediately report it to provoke a response from officials.
The service provider and other companies are obliged to immediately take measures to restore the heating supply as quickly as possible. Thus, according to paragraph 14 of Resolution No. 354, they are obliged to ensure uninterrupted round-the-clock heating of premises during the heating season.
The permissible duration of a break in the provision of services is indicated in the table.
Air temperature in residential premises, °C | Maximum permissible break in heat supply, hours |
December 01 | no more than 16 |
December 10 | no more than 8 |
08 October | no more than 4 |
Important: a break within 1 month should not exceed 24 hours |
Measures to eliminate problems with heating an apartment or apartment building differ depending on the situation. Among them are:
- testing and restoration of utility networks;
- radiator inspection and repair;
- analysis of highway operation;
- measuring the parameters of the coolant provided to the consumer.
Call to the dispatcher
If you are too busy or do not want to find out the cause yourself for fear of disrupting the operation of the heating system, then first of all call the emergency dispatch service of the service company. The dispatcher must introduce himself, write down your details, note the date of application and register the received application. Then a plumber will be sent to you, who will determine the cause of the lack of heat, and if this can be done quickly, he will fix the breakdown.
If you have a serious problem, then employees of the management company should call you and draw up a report in two copies and measure the temperature in all rooms. If there are no management employees, call your neighbors who will testify and confirm that it is cold in your apartment. Together with them, draw up a random act and record the current temperature.
Note the date of the first application and indicate that no one came to you. Sign with your neighbors and send the paper to the Criminal Code. There must be at least three signatures on the act. After correcting the violations, a report on temperature compliance with standards is drawn up again. At this point the procedure is considered complete.
Where to complain if nothing changes
If the service has not been restored, residents are at a loss as to who to contact if the heating system does not work. In such cases, the state housing inspection accepts oral telephone messages and considers written consumer complaints.
The inspection will conduct its own inspections and measurements, identify the causes of interruptions and involve responsible persons in eliminating them.
When the work of the inspection does not lead to the desired result, and the responsible persons are inactive, questions about heating can be asked. Its specialists will analyze the circumstances and help make a complaint.
Applications for violations in the housing and communal services sector are also considered.
The final authority for resolving disputes is the court. To appeal to a judicial authority, it is necessary to draw up a statement of claim and support it with the collected evidence.
A valid reason for a general shutdown of heating
The cause of cold batteries in an apartment may be a major accident on a highway or a thermal power plant. In this case, utility organizations are forced to turn off the hot water supply to the area in which your house is located in order to carry out repair work.
What should residents do if there are cold radiators in the house? Where to complain if no one warned or informed about the shutoff of the coolant? In connection with a major accident that disrupted the supply of heat to the entire residential building, in addition to the management company, you should file a collective complaint with the GZHI (State Housing Inspectorate). This organization accepts calls 24 hours a day.
Recalculation of payment amount
An act confirming the low quality of heating services is the basis for recalculating the amount of payment. To change the payment amount, you must submit a corresponding application to the management company or homeowners association.
During the heating season, for every hour when the air temperature in the home did not meet the standard, the fee for the space heating service is reduced. For each degree of deviation from the norm, 0.15% of the cost is calculated.
When discussing the question of whether the utility company has the right to reduce heating, it should be remembered that any deviation from the standard must be financially compensated.
More about how heating payments in an apartment building are calculated according to the meter.
Who is responsible for cold batteries?
If you find cold batteries in an apartment, you need to contact the organizations that are responsible for such violations and accept complaints and appeals from citizens.
This could be a homeowners association , housing and communal services , or a management company .
Insufficient heat from batteries occurs as a result of improper design or due to old and faulty communications in the house. Less often, the reason lies in a house that has a low ability to retain heat.
If the cause is a malfunction or incorrect design, then the management company should deal with the problem . She bears all costs of correcting the fault.
The problem should be resolved within a week . However, the period may increase if we are talking about a number of malfunctions and the unsuitability of the central branch of communications.
Read about the responsibilities of management companies for the maintenance and repair of apartment buildings here.
If the problem is a faulty battery , then it can only be resolved by the owner of the apartment . Replacement is carried out with the permission of the management service.
In winter, this procedure is rarely . Exceptions may include a paralyzed family member or small children in the apartment. The difficulty is due to the fact that turning off the riser will be a problem for other residents, and is therefore prohibited by the state.
The resident is required to independently measure their temperature and determine whether there is a violation of the established norm or not.
Then you need to follow a certain algorithm of actions:
- The first thing you need to do is write a written appeal addressed to the management company. The appeal indicates the resident’s dissatisfaction the exact details of the person applying. In a situation with heating, you need to describe the problem with violation of the norms of the heated room;
Sample application to the Criminal Code requesting temperature measurements in the apartment.
- Next, you should save a copy of the request . It must be signed and dated. Then take it to the service for inspection;
- Once the application has been reviewed, the management company will send a technician or engineer to check the temperature. The specialist will also check the condition of the water supply. If a problem is detected, the technician will draw up a report , which will reflect the details of the inspection. It is important to remember that residents should also receive a copy of the report on the work carried out to inspect the premises. This paper will serve as a guarantee for filing claims against the management company if it fails to act;
- If 7 to 10 days and the problem is not resolved , then you should call the company representatives by phone or contact them directly;
- If the management company does not want to take responsibility for solving the problem, then the only way out is to contact higher authorities .
Sample complaint to the Criminal Code about poor heating in the apartment.
To learn about the procedure and where to complain about poor-quality or unprovided housing and communal services, watch the video:
Replacing radiators and increasing temperatures
Replacement of batteries through the housing office is possible only after the expiration of their service life or in the event of a breakdown, after which their operation is impossible. Since this type of work is often classified as a major overhaul, its start is often postponed indefinitely.
You can try to change the radiator by submitting a corresponding application to the service organization or housing office. It should be accompanied by all equipment inspection reports, as well as documents recording the temperature parameters of the room.
Note that the easiest way is to change the battery at your own expense.
More about who should change the heating batteries in the apartment.
Note to the consumer
Sometimes it happens that the owners of residential premises do not receive utility services in full, that is, they use the required resources intermittently .
In this case, the fee for each service not provided is subject to reduction .
The main document regulating this issue is Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 354 “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings.”
According to the Resolution, standards are established for the maximum permissible interruption in the supply of utilities:
- The interruption in heating cannot exceed more than 24 hours per month . A break of only 16 hours at a time is allowed if the room temperature is above 12 degrees. No more than 10 hours if the temperature level is from 10 to 12 degrees. If the temperature is 8-10 degrees, then no more than 4 hours;
- gas supply can be no more than 4 hours per calendar month ;
- Electricity can be turned off for 2 hours if there are two redundant power sources and 24 hours if there is only one ;
- A break in the provision of sanitation can reach 8 hours per month and 4 in case of emergencies ;
- The total number of hours to turn off cold water is 8 hours , in case of major accidents 4 hours at a time . For hot water the standard is the same. In case of major accidents on highways, the period can be extended to 24 hours .
Residents of apartment buildings need to know that cold radiators are a violation . Specialists must assess the extent of the violation and draw up an appropriate report . With these documents, the homeowner must contact the authorities and seek justice, that is, a solution to the problem and recalculation .