From 2024, users of flats will receive data on heat and hot water consumption from remote meter readings at least once a month. The information obligation will be introduced by a government amendment signed yesterday by President Miloš Zeman. His signature was announced by the Castle. The monthly provision of data is based on European regulations and its aim, according to the justification, is to strengthen the right of recipients of centrally prepared heat and hot water to accurate, reliable and timely information on consumption.
By the end of 2026, only those service providers that already have meters with the ability to read at a distance of more than 250 metres will have to provide monthly information on consumption. This will not yet apply in particular to small unit owners’ associations or cooperatives. From 2027, the obligation will apply to meter readings that do not require access to individual flats or non-residential premises. From this year onwards, meters with remote reading will have to be installed in all apartment buildings according to the Energy Act.
The government amendment originally introduced an information obligation for service providers from next year. The Chamber of Deputies postponed it for a year despite the opposition of Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartos (Pirates), who warned of the risk of EU sanctions. The MPs opted for the argument of the short time between the adoption of the law and the introduction of the obligation. In the spirit of the complaints of representatives of landlords and tenants, who pointed to the increase in administrative costs, the House also clarified the definition of meters.
According to the drafters of the amendment, it will not be possible to reflect the increase in administrative costs of service providers such as unit owners’ associations and owners of apartment buildings, including housing cooperatives, in the prices of services. The draft envisages sending information electronically. According to the amendment, only information by letter will be chargeable.
Under the draft, providers will also be able to make the data available remotely via the internet with a password and update it as often as the metering equipment and systems used allow. In this context, the House has removed the obligation on the service provider to inform the home user on a monthly basis that it has made the data available on the internet. It will only be sufficient to do this once, with exceptions. Providers will not have to inform flat users of their heat consumption for periods in which they have not supplied it.
