Penalties for utility debt in Russia will start being charged from the 16th.

      Late payment penalties for housing and communal services in Russia will be charged from the 16th of the month following the billing period starting in March. This was announced by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma committee on construction and housing and communal services, Vladimir Koshelev, as reported by "RIA Novosti." He reminded that starting March 1, the deadline for paying housing and communal services will change from the 10th to the 15th of the month. According to the deputy, this will allow many citizens to pay their bills after receiving their salaries, thereby reducing the number of late payments and cases of penalties being charged. Koshelev specified that if the payment is not made by the 15th, penalties will start accruing after 31 days from the established payment deadline – from the 16th of the following month. During the first 30 days after the payment date, no penalties will be applied: this period effectively serves as a grace period during which the debt can be settled without additional costs. If the debt remains unpaid, from the 31st day, penalties will be charged at a rate of 1/300 of the key rate of the Central Bank for each day of delay. Starting from the 91st day of delay, the penalty rate increases to 1/130 of the key rate of the Central Bank of Russia for each day.