As a legal recovery of funds for unpaid utilities, there is a practice of limiting water disposal to debtors. At first glance, the procedure is complicated and unlikely. But with the presence of special equipment, it is quite possible to block the sewer system for a specific apartment. The use of plumbing points in the home will be difficult.
Can they shut off the sewer for debts
The law establishes that in the presence of debts for water supply from individuals, commercial organizations, the Criminal Code has the right to collect funds through the courts or resort to radical measures - limiting the use of communications. This is clearly spelled out in the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation "On the provision of utilities to owners and users of residential premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings" (paragraph 119). The prohibition on the latter applies only to the heating and cold water supply system. Utility workers do not have the right to shut off the supply of heat, cold water supply.
Legality of actions of the Criminal Code
Despite the fact that public utilities can block and shut off the sewer system to debtors under the law, there are still some points that indicate the illegal actions of employees of housing and communal services, management companies, etc. There are a number of rules and regulations that specialists must follow when disconnecting debtors:
- Just like that "today and now, because they decided so" no one cuts off anyone from the central communications. The sewerage system can only be closed if the service is more than 3 months in arrears.
- Before disconnecting, the service organization is obliged, according to the laws of the Russian Federation, to send the debtor a notification of the debt and a request to repay it. The amount of non-payment, the months for which it was calculated, must be written on the paper. Here, the user of the service is offered to deposit funds to the accounts of the management company for up to 20 days from the date of receipt of the notification.
- The debt paper is handed over to the consumer either by registered mail with notification, or against receipt. Lists of debtors posted on bulletin boards at the entrance are also considered legal. If the defaulter does not come to the post office for a registered letter on notification within a calendar month, it will be considered received.
- Sewerage can be turned off only 30 days after delivery of the notification.
- It is forbidden to shut off the drainage system due to other municipal debts, except for the desired ones. This is considered a gross violation of the law.
- If the statute of limitations against the debtor has long expired, the actions of the utilities will be considered illegal. In this case, they can no longer restrict the use of drainage systems.
- Also, a gross violation on the part of the service organization is the creation of unsanitary conditions in the apartment when the sewer is blocked. According to the law, the actions of the Criminal Code should not lead to such a result.
- If minor children live in the apartment, shutting off the sewage system is unacceptable and is considered illegal.
Otherwise, the service organization has every right to shut off the drainage system. The principle of blocking communication is simple: water enters the apartment as before.But its removal becomes impossible due to the installed plug on the riser in the zone of the debtor's apartment.
Types of equipment for blocking sewerage
When blocking the sewage system for debts, various systems are used. The most popular ones are easy to use.
Octopus
The main components are a probe with a video camera and a manipulator. The principle of operation of the equipment is as follows:
- Initial check of the riser of the debtor's apartment for leaks. It is carried out with a dipstick through the riser pipe from the attic / roof side. Blocking is prohibited in the presence of leaks.
- If everything is in order with the tightness of the system, the operator lowers the plug through the drain pipe. Its correct position is monitored with a video camera. The number of storeys for the stub is determined using a special measuring device. As a result, all apartments on the riser continue to use the drain pipe. And the debtor is not.
When installing the plug, a small gap of 3-5 mm remains. With its help, some water will slowly leave. But fecal matter, other drains will quickly accumulate in the toilet, sink, bath.
Kit system
Main working elements:
- Probe with video camera. All components of the unit are sealed and not exposed to the aggressive effects of sewage. Video cameras have such good optics that they allow you to thoroughly monitor the condition of the riser.
- Remote Control. With its help, the operator determines the immersion depth of the probe and the location of the plug. The image is displayed on a small monitor.
- An electrical wire that allows you to connect the system to a 220 volt power supply.
- Stopper plug. Thanks to the latter, no one can push it inside the common riser from inside the apartment. With the help of the retainer, the plug can remain in the system for 15-20 years without reacting to any temperature changes.
The principle of blocking the sewer with a Kit is the same as with the application of the Sprut system.
Throat
SOV system
Works in the same way as previous types of equipment. The advantages of the system are:
- The ability to adjust the cross-section of the plug. As a result, the plug can be installed with any pipe diameter with the presence of blockages.
- Tubular probe, which allows it to be inserted into the riser from below without the need to stop the sewage system on all floors.
- The impossibility of unauthorized removal of the plug or its pushing into the common pipe.
Good camera optics exclude the possibility of mistakes when performing work.
Terminator
Has the same principle and technology of work. The plug can be polymer, plastic armored or elastic rubber. Partial overlap of the system is possible. The main advantages of the equipment:
- the ability to install a plug at a height of up to 33 floors;
- versatility of use (can be used on cast iron and polymer risers).
It is impossible to remove the plug from the Terminator on your own.
The procedure for shutting down the sewage system
Despite the legality of shutting down the sewage system for non-payment of utilities, not a single service organization has the right to do this without notifying the debtor and earlier than 30 days after the delivery of the paper. When the drainage system is blocked, minutes are counted. This is determined by the natural needs of the human body. Therefore, it is better to challenge the actions of utilities before the system is turned off than after it.
If the financial situation is completely bad, it is better to conclude an agreement with the management company for an installment payment of the debt. This decision is optimal and legitimate for both parties.
What to do if the sewer is blocked
If the drainage system is still blocked, the only way out is to pay. And immediately. Or, until the money issue is resolved, go to friends, neighbors, relatives.It is simply impossible to use the apartment under such conditions.
By law, the blockage of the sewer system must be lifted within 2 days after the full payment of the debt.
All costs incurred by the service company for the installation and removal of the unit are reimbursed by the debtor. The cost of removing the plug starts from 2000 rubles. The price may vary depending on the region of residence of the defaulter. The same applies to possible emergencies in case of careless self-removal of the plug and damage to the property of neighbors.
