Uzbekistan changes procedure for utility bill collection

Uzbekistan has implemented changes to streamline the collection of utility payments from consumers with overdue bills. On November 7, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law titled “On Making Additions and Amendments to Certain Legal Documents of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Facilitate Utility Bill Collection Through the Court System.”

The changes focus on the documentation required for filing claims in civil court to collect mandatory contributions and payments from apartment owners in multi-unit residential buildings. The updated Civil Procedure Code specifies additional documents that must now accompany applications for court orders on unpaid utility fees.

The required documents include:

1. A copy of the decision from the general meeting of apartment owners regarding the chosen management method for the building.
2. A copy of the management contract if the building is managed by a designated management body.
3. A debt calculation showing the period for which the debt was incurred.
4. Evidence confirming that a payment request has been submitted to the debtor.

Moreover, management bodies of multi-apartment buildings are now exempt from paying state duty in advance when filing claims, applications, or complaints in civil and economic courts for mandatory payment collection. However, if the claim is denied fully or partially, the state duty will be charged proportionally to the rejected claim amount.

This law was published in the National Database of Legal Documents and took effect on November 8.