Most of our readers living in 3,500 Riga apartment buildings have received "letters of happiness" from the municipal management company.
In the last couple of years, RNP has increasingly positioned itself as a business, rather than a social service. Apparently, this is why the questionnaires for extending management in apartment buildings look more like a promotional brochure... In any case, the company employs nearly two thousand people.
Minus 8% of clients in 2 years
A certain Gints Kauniste unexpectedly outshone all the deputies of the Riga City Council, who were so interested in the problems of Rīgas Namu Pārvaldnieks, by taking the podium after 10 PM last Wednesday. "I voted for the 'Progressives' because for Scandinavia, for the rule of law...," said the activist from Lokomotives Street. He also had an increase in the money that RNP takes as savings – it was 10, now it is 17. As soon as it became clear that a concerned individual was talking about mismanagement regarding RNP, Mayor Kleinbergs quickly asked him to leave the podium.
However, subsequent speakers emotionally recounted the pains of Riga residents. For example, an opposition deputy presented excerpts from letters: they are forced to pay not only for the janitor but also for his sick leave; they receive fines of 30 euros for an uncleaned street.
– This should be a model enterprise! – the deputy was astonished. Considering that they spend 100,000 euros just on the new RNP brand.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Rights Protection Center expressed concern that the money collected from Riga residents as savings would be invested in securities...
Deputy Vladislav Bartashevich noted that since 2023, the number of RNP clients has decreased by more than 8%, and now slightly exceeds 30% of all apartment buildings. Moreover, in the near future, as a result of the notorious surveys, dozens of buildings may refuse the company.
"The most important thing is the client"
This was proclaimed by the Chairman of the Board of RNP, Maris Ozolins, referring to his experience in the private sector. He claimed that customer satisfaction is on the rise! Hardworking people – janitors, plumbers – provide quality services.
This year, several buildings have been transferred for co-financing by ALTUM. "We quickly organized" the situation with heating connections this year – even resolving issues with those who had debts.
Regarding the new trademark, in connection with the expansion of the strategy – Mr. Ozolins promised that "not a single cent" has been spent. However, this does not mean that it will not be spent in the future.
Sometimes, of course, there is no quorum at residents' meetings – but those that have been held show more than 70% support for RNP, Ozolins boasted.
At the request of the workers
– There is no enterprise in the world that could not work better, – philosophically stated the 5-year Chairman of the RNP Council, Ainars Ozols. And he began to narrate the secrets of corporate governance: the council expressed distrust in the previous board and sought a new one through an open competition. However, now profits are getting better and better – work for the sake of financial indicators has resulted in dividends of 5.7 million euros.
– Where are you investing your clients' money? – the deputies inquired.
Mr. Ozols assured that exclusively in reliable places: in the State Treasury, as well as in a leading Scandinavian bank, which has an AAA rating from the largest agency, while Latvia itself has only an A.
The Chairman of the Board also claims that the residents themselves are asking for an increase in the share of savings.
At the last meeting of the City Property Committee, RNP board member Martins Pauris admitted that 20,000 euros were spent on creating a model for the new contract as an "external service." The money is certainly not a fortune, but it is characteristic that a company with a staff of qualified lawyers opted for outsourcing. After all, as Chairman Ozolins stated, the company is facing a completely unique challenge ahead of the complete privatization in 2026.
– One of the council's goals is to increase the management areas, – reflected the Chairman of the Board. However, if the building is small, RNP is not imposed; perhaps the residents can manage themselves!
137,000 electronic users
Such is the statistics of the electronic portal Eparvaldnieks, however, it was somehow not used for the notorious client surveys for re-signing contracts with RNP. Instead, it was necessary to register in the construction information system BIS or send paper questionnaires by mail.
– You talk about high profits from management and fines, but specifically – how?, – inquired the experienced deputy Sergey Dolgopolov. Mr. Ozols began to discuss digital services in response. Meanwhile, Mr. Ozolins stated that large capital investments would soon follow – ultrasonic meters, new elevators. "But the residents will pay for it," noted S. Dolgopolov. "As an enterprise, we do not have the right," the property managers countered.
Instead of janitors, mobile teams are now responsible for cleaning the serviced buildings, and new equipment will also be purchased for them. Former janitors are encouraged to transition to these units. "We are doing this to make it more profitable for residents and more convenient," said the head of the board. At the same time, he refused to disclose the number of dismissed employees.
And it seems that the numerous firms and small companies that receive contracts, for example, for "author's supervision" for repainting buildings in the historic center will not be left out. Indeed, why not earn a hundred or two thousand on residents whom "strong managers" have terrorized – it is necessary right now to increase the savings contributions fourfold to beautify the facade. Otherwise, in the near future, a tenfold increase in property tax will be activated!
Unfortunately, the directive of the European Union prohibits your author from disclosing the names of legal entities and the names of individuals feeding at the council. The Department of Property of the Riga City Council provided me with a response regarding the repair work in the building serviced by the municipal company but involving private contractors.
