Residents of Riga who received high heating bills for January can temporarily avoid paying them in full. The city authorities clarified what the cancellation of the penalty means and until when the debt can be settled.
Residents of Riga continue to receive heating bills for January, and many are wondering: what does the decision not to apply contractual penalties mean in practice? Can one avoid paying the full amount at once in this case?
This question was posed to Janis Lange, the executive director of the Riga City Council, during the program "Ziņu TOP. Rīga runa" on TV24. According to him, the heating bill is issued in full and remains unchanged. However, the cancellation of the contractual penalty means that no penalties will be charged for the unpaid portion of the amount if it is not paid on time.
"We urge residents to realistically assess their financial capabilities and pay as much as they can. For the portion of the bill that is not paid on time, the contractual penalty will not be applied — at least until the end of the heating season," explained Lange.
The city authorities have set a deadline by which residents can settle their debts without penalties — until June 30. This decision aims to reduce the financial burden on households during a period of high utility costs and an unstable economic situation.
At the same time, the Riga City Council emphasizes: this is not about canceling the debt, but merely about temporarily easing the payment conditions. The bill will still have to be paid in full, but without additional penalties for late payment.
