A proposal to end commissions on housing and communal services payments could reach a second reading in the State Duma next week, according to deputies involved in the process. This update comes from Svetlana Razvorotneva, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Construction, Housing and Communal Services, speaking to a parliamentary publication.
The exact timetable for the bill’s review remains undecided. Amendments will need to pass through the committee before the bill can advance. The draft legislation was first submitted to the State Duma in February 2020 and received its initial reading in April of that year.
Svetlana Razvorotneva noted that while the measure holds significance, progress has stalled due to strong opposition from banking sector representatives. The committee is reportedly preparing to counter any attempts by banks to transfer commissions to service providers. Officials indicated that proposed changes would explicitly prohibit such shifts.
Razvorotneva explained that these commissions cannot simply be folded into tariffs. As a result, the cost of essential services to households should not rise. If banks are allowed to pass those lost revenues to management and procurement entities, their financial health could deteriorate further. She warned that several banks are already at risk of financial distress, which could, in turn, degrade the quality of services delivered to residents.
On 26 November, the National Financial Market Council issued remarks criticizing the United Russia proposal to eliminate payment commissions for housing and communal services. Financial institutions argued that removing commissions would push banks to optimize business processes, potentially harming customer service standards.
Previously, the Central Bank supported excluding commissions on payments for housing and communal services from the tariff framework. That stance reflected a broader concern about how such a change might affect the reliability and affordability of public utility services for households.
From a broader perspective, observers note that the dispute centers on balancing consumer protection with the financial stability of banks that process a high volume of payments. Supporters of the bill emphasize consumer relief, while opponents point to possible inefficiencies in banking operations and service quality. The outcome of the coming committee discussions will shape whether the proposal proceeds to further readings and potential adoption, as authorities weigh the implications for residents and financial institutions alike.