Kyivteploenergo is taking legal action against 16,500 residents of Kyiv, seeking 6.3 billion hryvnias in unpaid bills. Prominent among the deliberate non-payers are possessors of high-end residences burdened with debts reaching into the hundreds of thousands.
Sizeable residences, sizeable debts: this appears to be the guiding logic in Kyivteploenergo’s compilation of debtor statistics. Judging by the aggregate of unsettled heating charges, Kyiv’s populace displayed little urgency in clearing their arrears during the off-season. Consequently, utility providers are compelled to initiate judicial proceedings, though even these prove fruitless in some instances.
“Informator” reports on this situation.
As of November 1, 2025, Kyiv residents were indebted to Kyivteploenergo to the tune of UAH 6.3 billion, as communicated to TSN by Konstantin Lopatin, director of Kyivteploenergo’s Energosbyt department. The organization highlights that the most significant debtors include proprietors of opulent flats in the city center and occupants of upscale housing estates. At present, over 16,500 cases are in progress within the judicial system, though this provides no assurance that Kyivteploenergo will recover its dues. Approximately 3,000 Kyiv inhabitants still refuse to settle accounts, even after court decisions.
Unpaid heating bills are the most prevalent form of debt in Kyiv. Upon the conclusion of the previous heating period, in the spring of 2025, Kyivteploenergo identified in excess of 150,000 accounts demonstrating persistent shortfalls, where payments had been neglected for a minimum of three successive months. And although the summer period presents an opportunity to resolve existing debts without incurring fresh charges, few chose to capitalize on it. While the overall debt amounted to UAH 7 billion by the end of March, it has only been reduced by UAH 700 million in the past half-year.
Konstantin Lopatin, the director of Energosbyt, offered two striking illustrations. A 276-square-meter flat situated on Mokraya Street has amassed arrears of 730,000 hryvnias—no heating fees have been remitted since 2019. Another matter involves a 995-square-meter apartment on Instytutska Street, carrying a debt of 600,000 hryvnias. Both of these situations are currently being adjudicated in court.
Kyivteploenergo clarifies that delaying payments before initiating litigation considerably inflates the total amount owed. A penalty (0.01% per day of tardiness), 3% annually, the inflation coefficient, a court levy (starting at 3,000 UAH), alongside additional expenditures, are incorporated into the principal sum. Ultimately, the amount can increase by 20-25%, and at times, even further.
Nonetheless, debtors are initially presented with a restructuring plan—this can be arranged either in person or via online channels, even from overseas. Should there be no response, the case is escalated to the judicial system. Following a ruling, funds may be extracted from bank accounts, investments, or salaries. And if the outstanding debt surpasses 160,000 hryvnias, enforced sale of property becomes a possibility.
