Almaty is set to change how electricity is disconnected for unpaid bills: only individual debtors, not entire apartment buildings, will lose power. The new mechanism is proposed by Alatau Zharyk Company JSC, according to infohub.kz.
Previously, residents of multi-story buildings complained on social media about mass blackouts due to multi-million tenge debts by housing cooperatives. They were outraged that all owners were left without electricity, not just those who didn't pay. The company explained that they could not cut power to individual apartments because the electricity supply contract is with the managing organization (OSI, KSK, or management company), which is a single consumer. "The in-building electrical networks and meters are on the balance sheet and under the operational responsibility of the managing organization, which is why Alatau Zharyk Company JSC - Energosbyt branch does not have the technical capability or legal basis to selectively restrict individual consumers within a residential complex," the company noted.
Now it is proposed to conclude additional agreements to the standard contract, which will specify the deadline for transferring electrical networks. "Signing an additional agreement will allow opening individual personal accounts for household consumers, organizing direct payments for consumed electricity, and, in case of debt, applying supply restrictions selectively — only to debtors, without affecting other residents of the apartment building," explained Alatau Zharyk Company.
However, the algorithm will not work in case of non-payment for electricity consumed for common building needs: lighting of entrances, courtyards, and operation of elevators. In that case, disconnection is made from the main commercial meter, and targeted disconnection is technically impossible. "Balance holders and servicing organizations continue to be responsible for the technical operation of in-building electrical networks, timely transmission of commercial meter readings, compensation for the difference between common and individual meter readings, and payment for electricity consumed for common building needs," the company added. They reminded that OSI, KSK, and management companies must timely execute the necessary contracts.