site.btaOmbudsman: Unjustifiable Increase of Heating Bills Is Interest-Free Loan for Heating Utilities from Users

Sofia, April 24 (BTA) - Ombudsman Maya Manolova met Tuesday with the CEO of Toplofikatsia Sofia heating utility, Sasho Chakalski, to discuss a significant increase of heating bills for March, her office said. Manolova said what she sees as a striking increase of the bills is an interest-free loan for the heating utilities from their customers for a period of six months because the March bills were based on forecast and will be adjusted to actual heating consumption only in July meaning that clients cannot claim before August any money they have paid in excess.

Manolova presented to Chakalski the complaints she has received about much higher heating bills for March compared to the previous two - colder - months when the bills were much lower. In some cases the increase is two-fold.

In the course of the meeting, it was established that official information shows the average increase for household users in March 2018 to be nearly 60 per cent from this time last year.

Chakalski said this is partly due to a recent increase of heating prices by over 24 per cent, which was approved by the energy regulator at the request of the utility.

The Ombudsman demanded once again that Toplofikatsia Sofia inform its clients how the bills are calculated in an understandable and clear way.