OREANDA-NEWS.  July 06, 2012. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Tyumen Region (Tyumen OFAS Russia) fined “Teplo Tyumeni” OJSC 1.5 million Rubles for violating the Rules for providing utility services to general public, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia. 

The antimonopoly body found that “Teplo Tyumeni” OJSC violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” by breaching the notice procedure for suspending utility supply (hot water).

On 12-16 September 2011, “Teplo Tyumeni” OJSC suspended hot water supply to residential houses. The managing company received a notice about cutting off hot water only on 12th September 2012. The residents were informed about stopping water supply only when the water was cut off.

“Terminating utility supply must take place in compliance with the established procedures for introducing restrictions, otherwise the rights and legitimate interests of consumers are infringed, and a company is fined. Hopefully, other organizations will be taking into account the restriction-introducing practice”, commented the Head of Tyumen OFAS Russia, Dmitry Shalabodov.

Clauses 79 and 80 of the Rules for providing utility services to general public specify that in case of suspending or restricting utility services not related to emergencies or force-majeure circumstances, consumers must be warned a month before such suspending or restricting.