Debt collection for utility bills through the courts

When the outbreak of full-scale war forced many Ukrainians to flee their apartments, buildings managed by condominium associations (HOAs) or management companies faced the problem of accumulating utility debts. The law firm “DE-JURE” helps individuals and legal entities enforce debt collection through the courts, and attorney Dmitry Strichenko explains how to do this.

There is no minimum debt amount that can be recovered through court proceedings: the only question is whether it is feasible. It’s important to note that the minimum court fee is 308 UAH.

The first option, typically chosen by most condominium associations, is to file an application for a court order to collect outstanding utility bills. This procedure is quick (2-4 weeks), effective, and can be resubmitted. The downside is that legal fees are not reimbursed under the writ of execution.

Another option, used if the defendant disagrees with the court decision, is to file a lawsuit. On the one hand, this procedure is more complicated and lengthy, but on the other hand, it allows you to recoup the costs of a lawyer’s services.