| Rent in St. Petersburg will increase by 1.5 times Less than six months had passed after the heated election debates in St. Petersburg, all of whose participants promised stability and prosperity to the citizens, when the new city government was faced with the need to sharply increase rents. Otherwise, officials argue, local utilities simply will not be able to cope with the maintenance of residential buildings, and the already poor housing and communal services system will completely collapse. Smolny officials avoid giving exact figures for the increase in utility tariffs, but make it clear that rents will increase by about 50% on average.
Yesterday, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Oleg Virolainen said that one of the resolutions of the Russian government states that in St. Petersburg, since 2004, the level of payment for housing and communal services by citizens should not be lower than 90% of the total costs of maintaining this area. In the meantime, payments from city residents account for only 64%. Therefore, Mr. Virolainen promised, the rent will inevitably be increased, and the schedule and stages of this increase will be considered at a meeting of the city government on March 30. The vice-governor categorically refused to name the exact growth figure. But since residents’ payments should increase from 64% to 90% of utility costs, it is easy to calculate that citizens will have to pay almost 1.5 times more for housing and communal services (and even if the costs of the utility services themselves do not increase). This is evidenced by other statements by officials. Thus, Mr. Virolainen said yesterday that “for 51 kopecks it is impossible to maintain a square meter” - this is exactly the city’s tariff for housing maintenance, which accounts for approximately one-thirtieth of the rent. According to some reports, this tariff may be increased to 6-8 rubles, which will increase the total costs of tenants by approximately 40%. On the other hand, the city housing committee says that the rate for payment for housing and communal services should increase from the current 2.65 rubles. at least up to 5 rubles. for 1 square meter (this will allow you to just reach the cost price), and ideally - get closer to 6.5-7.5 rubles. “For the record” this will all result in a fifty percent rise in price. However, for owners of luxury housing the growth may be even more significant.
It is the latter argument that officials are pushing. Mr. Virolainen promises that “the poor will not suffer from the change in rent, but the wealthy and prosperous will feel the difference.” The city, in full compliance with the law and with the promises of the new governor, will subsidize those whose rent costs exceed 22% of family income. Moreover, subsidies will not be received by housing and communal services enterprises, but by citizens themselves in a special account. In practice, it is not entirely clear how officials will determine the “average family” income, while the “white” salary, according to some experts, accounts for only 30% of the money earned by St. Petersburg residents. Victor MATVEEV, St. Petersburg |
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