OREANDA-NEWS. June 07, 2013. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Perm Region (Perm OFAS Russia) found that Perm energy supplier – “Permenergosbyt” OJSC violated the antimonopoly law. The company charged for electric power spent for the house needs according to the norms, rather than according to the readings of electric power. As a result, residents of many apartment blocks had to pay considerably more.

The case was initiated upon numerous petitions from managing companies to the antimonopoly body, including a petition of “EksCom” Managing Company” Ltd. The latter asked to inspect the actions of “Permenergosbyt” OJSC for changing the procedures determining the volume of electric power supplied for the general needed of the houses under its management. In September 2012 “Permenergosbyt” OJSC сreported that the volume of electric power would be determined not according to the house meters but under the established norms. The company sent an additional agreement to “EksCom” Managing Company” Ltd., adding it to already concluded power supplied contract.

On 1st September 2012, the new rules for rendering utility services came into force. The Rules require that if an apartment house does not have a general power metering device, residents must pay for the electric power, used for the general house needs, in accordance with the established norms. “Permenergosbyt” OJSC was directly involved in commissioning power metering devices for the general needs of apartment houses in the places of common use – entrance halls, stairs, etc. In spite of this, however, the company stopped taking into account meter readings to calculate payments from the population for the general house needs.

The antimonopoly officers classified actions of “Permenergosbyt” OJSC incorrect and contrary to the law. Imposing disadvantageous contract conditions, the company abused its market dominance.

“This is a case of enormous importance, because the violations committed by “Permenergosbyt” OJSC affected the interests of a considerable number of residents of the Perm region”, pointed out Deputy Head of Perm OFAS, Galina Stepanova.