The Ministry of Energy has accepted several proposals to change the methodology for distributing heat consumption among tenants of blocks of flats, which were systemic and generated most calculation errors. This was announced by Energy Minister Victor Parlicov during the second round of public consultations on this issue, organized today. At the same time, in some cases the Balti CET Nord has recalculated and issued bills with a minus, if the owners of apartments proved that they did not benefit from the centralized heating system.

Minister Parlicov has asked the heat suppliers to include in the invoices issued more data on the block's heat consumption (meter readings, total area that is heated, etc.), as well as the share of each co-owner's contribution to the common expenses for stairs, technical floors, basements, which belong to the condominium.

"There are a few things we are improving that will make people's lives easier. For one, there is a trend of cheaper energy, so the overall pressure on household budgets will go down. Secondly, we are proposing to involve consumers/tenants' associations more actively, and the calculations for each block of flats will have to be validated by the housing fund manager together with the suppliers," said Minister Victor Parlicov.

The energy that enters the block is not lost, it benefits apartment owners collectively, including those who have been disconnected. How the pipes pass inside the block, what share each tenant has, on a case-by-case basis, whether or not the windows in common areas are closed during the heating season - will be left to the co-owners' association/ condominium, State Secretary Constantin Borosan added.

The public consultations were attended by housing fund managers, civic activists, representatives of suppliers and other public authorities involved.

Previously, all disconnected apartment owners paid a 5%, then 10% of the cost of thermal energy calculated per square meter of the apartment, regardless of whether they lived in the middle of the block, on the corner or in the attic. The new methodology takes into account the specifics of each block and apartment and makes the payment more individualized.

This has been observed in the past, and some block managers have confirmed that they have encountered cases where consumers disconnected from the centralized district heating system have not switched on their independent central heating plants, taking advantage of the heat transferred from those connected to the centralized system. Therefore, the document submitted for public debate is intended to create more fairness in this matter.