The Ministry of Housing and Utilities explained how freeloaders and their family members should pay for utilities
In November, Belarusians vigorously discussed the amounts in their utility bills. The fact is that since October, the payment for some utility services for citizens not employed in the economy has been calculated in a new way. Both the figures and, in some cases, the logic of the calculations raised questions. Ahead of the arrival of new utility bills, Office Life contacted the Ministry of Housing and Utilities for clarification on the controversial points.
How did freeloaders pay for an apartment before?
Before October 1, 2025, Belarusians not employed in the economy paid for utilities at full tariffs if they were registered in their apartment. However, economically justified tariffs were applied only to their share — the others living in the apartment paid regular utilities.
This primarily concerns heating, hot water supply, and gas supply when individual gas heating appliances are present.
Who and when should now pay full tariffs?
— Payments for housing and utility services by payers included in the list of able-bodied citizens not employed in the economy, and (or) the list of able-bodied citizens not employed in the economy who have left Belarus, are made at tariffs that ensure full coverage of economically justified costs for their provision, — explained the Ministry of Housing and Utilities.
Payers, for example, include owners, tenants, renters, lessees, shareholders.
What if the apartment belongs to a «freeloader,» but working people live with them?
— Utility services are subject to payment at economically justified tariffs if the owner of the living space (one of the co-owners according to the state registration certificate of rights to the living space) is included in the lists of the unemployed — within the entire volume of consumed service, — highlighted the Ministry of Housing and Utilities.
That is, those who work and live in an apartment belonging to a «freeloader» effectively pay for utility services at full tariffs.
Will full utility charges apply if the «freeloader» is merely registered in the apartment?
— A payer of housing and utility services is a consumer of these services who is the owner of a living space (a share in the right of common ownership) or a tenant of a living space, — emphasized the Ministry of Housing and Utilities.
That is, if the apartment does not belong to the «freeloader,» and they are only registered in it, then utility charges should be calculated according to the old rules, as in this case, the unemployed person is not a payer of housing and utility services.
What if an owner not employed in the economy has several apartments?
The rule on paying for housing and utility services at economically justified tariffs applies to all apartments owned by the «freeloader.» The fact of their registration or residence in any of the apartments is irrelevant.
What to do if you rented an apartment to a freeloader?
Those who work remotely for foreign companies or go on rotational shifts may be included in the database of those not employed in the economy.
The Ministry of Housing and Utilities points out: if «a residential premises of the private housing stock is rented under a lease agreement and the obligation to pay for housing and utility services is defined by the agreement and assigned to the tenant,» then if such a tenant is included in the lists of the unemployed, the amounts in the utility bill will be calculated at full tariffs. Even if the apartment owner is not listed in these lists.
What to do? Stipulate in the lease agreement that the tenant has no obligation to pay for utilities.
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