Should you pay for gas delivery when not using it? Lawyer Elena Voronkova shares her insights.

Thus, Elena Voronkova, a lawyer from the law firm "Ivan Khomich," noted that legislation stipulates that consumers are required to pay for gas delivery services regardless of the actual consumption volumes. Therefore, gas suppliers turn to the courts if residents have debts for fuel delivery.

The gas year does not align with the calendar year and runs from October 1 to September 30.

"There is public dissatisfaction with this development, both regarding the situation itself and the amounts on the bills issued for payment. I must emphasize that the demands for payment of gas supply services, even in the absence of gas consumption, are entirely lawful," she added.

If we are talking about residents who do not use gas because they are temporarily not living in a house connected to the gas network, they need to terminate their contracts for gas supply and delivery to avoid unnecessary overpayments.

However, it should be noted that upon their return, these residents will face a series of necessary actions to restore gas supply.

Therefore, the only legal way to avoid paying for gas delivery is to refuse gas supply altogether.

How to refuse gas supplies — official algorithm

The gas supply company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" explained how to refuse gas supplies if this service is unnecessary.

First of all, residents should contact the gas distribution operator (regional or city gas) to whom they pay for gas delivery (distribution) with a request to cease gas supplies and terminate the gas delivery (distribution) contract.

Then, the gas distribution operator provides residents with corrected data from the "Naftogaz of Ukraine," and based on this data, the payment amount is recalculated, and unjustified charges are annulled.

According to the lawyer, there is also an option to submit a request for temporary cessation of gas supply.

From January 1, 2025, payments for gas delivery in Ukraine will be recalculated.

"However, this does not guarantee a positive resolution of the issue by the service provider. Legal proceedings to challenge charges retroactively, that is, after such charges have been made, are definitely not a solution to this situation, except in very few cases," Voronkova says.

By law, citizens are obliged to pay for consumed services. However, the question arises whether the consumer acknowledges the services they have consumed. No one prohibits seeking justice through the courts. Only by court decision can one obtain the right not to pay for gas if there is a contract.

Let us remind you that from January 1, the calculation of payments for gas delivery was updated based on consumption volumes for 2024. In the absence of gas usage, the monthly payment is calculated depending on the type of connection:

• 39 cubic meters per year — if gas is used only for cooking;
• 126 cubic meters per year — for water heating and cooking;
• 314 cubic meters per year — if used for heating.

However, late payment for gas delivery may lead to legal disputes.