Russians were informed how management companies can profit from tenants. How not to miss this?

      Management companies can profit from the inattention of residents by including services in the payments that are not actually provided. Dmitry Bondar, an expert in housing and communal services, explained to the Prime agency how to spot such schemes.

      One common method is the so-called ghost services. The documents list cleaning of stairwells, pest control, or other work, but in reality, they are either not performed at all or are done significantly less frequently than stated. Another possible scheme is inflating expenses for water and electricity used for maintaining common property.

      According to the expert, a small overpayment for one owner can amount to 50-100 rubles per month. However, if such amounts are paid by all residents of the building, it can add up to hundreds of thousands of rubles over a year.

      Bondar also pointed out additional payments. They must be approved at a general meeting of owners, but sometimes management companies may use false or forged protocols.

      You can check the work of the management company by requesting reports on completed work, corresponding acts, and protocols of general meetings. If the services listed in the documents do not match what is actually happening, residents can file a complaint with the housing inspection.