Systemic deficiencies were identified last year in the preparation of housing and utilities organizations for the autumn-winter period. Vasily Gerasimov noted that half of all residential buildings are not properly inspected. As a result, homes with deficiencies receive certificates of readiness. Equally pressing is the issue of aging infrastructure, which is one of the main causes of emergency situations.

At the committee’s proposal, the government is implementing changes to the approach of building inspections. Relevant government bodies have begun analyzing the technical condition of heating networks and developing measures aimed at improving the reliability of heat supply across the country.

The head of the State Control Committee also drew attention to the fact that profits from such in-demand services as grass cutting, tree pruning, and tree removal are being earned not by housing and utilities organizations but by private companies. Moreover, unregulated pricing allows them to earn quite well. For example, the profitability of intercom maintenance reached 62%. These untapped opportunities and problems have been reported to the head of state.

Vasily Gerasimov also spoke about the oversight of activities carried out as part of the Year of Improvement. Following the State Control Committee’s intervention, planned targets for most activities (repairing lighting poles, demolishing vacant houses, installing and repairing small architectural features, building children’s and sports grounds, etc.) were increased, even at the initial stage.