Heating stairwells of multi-storey residential buildings: what temperature should be

Heating of staircases is regulated by current legislation, as well as regulatory documents - GOST and SanPiN. In accordance with their requirements, even in winter the minimum temperature in the entrance should be +14°C. If in fact it is lower, it is necessary to record this fact and submit an application to the management company. How to do this is described below.

Temperature standards at the entrance

Heating of staircases is carried out in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents. One of them is GOST 30494-2011, which indicates what temperature should be maintained during the cold season. The optimal indicators are:

• corridor between apartments, vestibule from 18 to 20 degrees;
• flights of stairs, lobby, entrance itself from 16 to 18 degrees.

The same document specifies the permissible temperature for rooms:

• corridor between apartments, vestibule from 16 to 22 degrees;
• staircases, lobby, entrance from 14 to 20 degrees.

There are similar requirements for heating in the entrance of an apartment building and in SanPiN 2.1.22645-10. Thus, even in winter the entrance should be quite warm - not lower than +14°C.

In fact, temperature reduction is only allowed in the event of an emergency. Moreover, it must be eliminated urgently - from 4 to 16 hours.The total time of shutdown of heat supply both in the apartment and in the entrance should be no more than 24 hours per calendar month.

Procedure for paying for heating at the entrance

Heating of stairwells of multi-storey residential buildings is paid for by all owners living in the building, as well as tenants using residential and/or non-residential premises. Until recently, there were different methods of calculation - in accordance with meter readings (if installed) or according to standards.

However, from June 1, 2021, a new order was approved throughout Russia. In accordance with the amendments to Government Decree No. 344, heating in the entrance of an apartment building is carried out only according to the standard adopted in the given region. You can see different amounts on receipts, but in any case they should not exceed the standard value.

The remaining payment rules have not changed and continue to apply to this day:

1. The billing period is one calendar month.
2. The payment system is credit, i.e. First, the consumer receives the service in full and only then must make a payment.
3. Payment must be made by the 10th day of the next month - otherwise the utility company has the right to charge penalties for each day of delay, as well as apply to the court for forced collection.
4. The fee is paid either only during the heating season, or in equal shares throughout all 12 months of the year.

What to do if it’s cold in the entrance

If the temperature in the entrance is below the established limits, you must proceed as follows:

1. Document the fact - take thermometer readings (preferably several), take photos and videos.
2. Submit an application to the management company (it is advisable to contact all residents of the entrance).
3. Wait for a specialist to arrive and draw up a report.

Next, you need to demand that the cause be identified and eliminated. It can be associated both with the heating system itself and with other factors, for example, old, uninsulated windows, freezing walls, etc. The elimination period is usually 30 calendar days.

If the breakdown is not found within the prescribed period, and it is still cold in the entrance, owners and tenants have the right to file a claim in court. If the case ends in their favor, the management company will be obliged not only to eliminate the cause, but also to recalculate for the entire period.