OREANDA-NEWS. December 19, 2013. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Komi Republic (Komi OFAS Russia) initiated another case upon a fact of charging a fee for sealing utility meters. The case was initiated upon a petition of a Syktyvkar resident about “Sluzhba Zakazchika” Managing Company” Ltd.

The resident of the capital city of Komi complained that in September 2013 the “Sluzhba Zakazchika” Managing Company” Ltd. (a company managing the apartment house where the petitioner resides) had completed the works and sent her a bill, particularly, for sealing a water meter. Having verified the information, Komi OFAS Russia initiated a case against the managing company under Part 1 Article 10 of the Law “On Protection of Competition” – abusing dominance by infringing other persons.

“Komi OFAS Russia reminds that meters are sealed in the interests of companies providing utility services rather than in the interests of residents – to have objective data in order to charge consumers. Companies do not have the right to charge consumers for observing their commercial interests. A fee can be charged only if a seal is damaged due to a fault of a consumer or third persons” explained the Head of Komi OFAS Russia, Natalia Gurevskaya.