Krasnodar residents stunned by high January utility bills

In January, many Krasnodar residents, upon opening their utility bills, experienced, to put it mildly, shock: the amounts had noticeably increased, although water, electricity, and heat consumption for most remained about the same as the previous month. People are writing in building chats, posting photos of payment slips on social networks, discussing how to pay at the new rates and why January«s utilities turned out to be a record high in recent years.

A journalist from 93.RU spoke with Krasnodar residents who received «record» bills and tried to figure out where such amounts come from.

Why such an increase?

There are several reasons at once, and each adds its own piece to the total sum. First, from January 1, 2026, across the whole country, including in the Krasnodar region, utility tariffs were recalculated: this added an average of 1.7% to the payment for water, electricity, gas, heating, and waste removal.

Secondly, in the region, there is its own regional index—it determines how much payments can rise above the federal minimum, and for residents of Kuban, a rather high ceiling for further growth has been set since October. But the main thing that hit the January bills—is not only the percentages themselves, but the features of heating calculation and the calendar.

In January«s payment slips, many effectively had an »extended« heating period. In December, bills were formed in advance, before the New Year holidays, so part of the days—about a week for different houses—automatically moved into the January calculation. As a result, for heat in January, they often counted not the conditional 30–31 days, but up to 35 days.

Plus to this—a new tariff for thermal energy and colder weather: the average air temperature in January was lower than in December, which means boiler houses burned more resources, and common house meters showed a real increase in consumption. All together added up to those very bills that very surprised the city residents.

How much did residents have to pay in January?

— A three-room apartment of 65 square meters under the management of GUK (the Housing and Utilities Department)—for heating 4248 rubles (about $42 at current rates). A two-room apartment of 54 square meters under the management of TSZh (a Homeowners Association)—for heating 3862 rubles (about $39). A private house of 180 square meters with terrible cold windows—payment for gas 7256 rubles (about $73);

— In December, the bill was 9886 rubles (about $99). For this January, they calculated 13,648 rubles (about $136). Of which 6700—for heating (about $67). I am in the stage of denial. It has never been so much. The apartment area is 82 meters. I understand that January is always more expensive than December because it«s colder and longer. And in December, payment is usually on the 25th. But last January it was still less—12,235 rubles (about $122),—said a resident of the Komsomolsky microdistrict.

— In January, a bill came for 11,703 rubles (about $117) for a three-room apartment of 74 square meters. The largest expense item—heating at 5130 rubles (about $51). Everything else also grew, but insignificantly. For comparison, in December the bill was 8118 rubles (about $81), of which for heating 2759 rubles (about $28). Unpleasant, considering that in January there was a utility accident and we sat without heat and hot water for more than a day. In January a year ago it was 8,840 rubles (about $88),—said a resident of the Yubileiny microdistrict.

— A bill from GUK for a three-room apartment 8700 rubles (about $87), 59 square meters in a five-story building. Last month it was 6000 rubles (about $60). Still need to pay for electricity, gas, capital repairs, intercom, internet. The cherry on top—technical maintenance of gas equipment for 2026 (the bill came last year). I am still in shock, seeing how much they charged for heating;

— December—6200 rubles (about $62), January—12,700 rubles (about $127) (heating 7500, about $75), two-room apartment, without capital repairs. Life did not prepare me for this;

— 9140 rubles (about $91) bill from REP (a Regional Energy Provider), three-room apartment. For heating, they charged over 5 thousand (about $50). Well, and everything else plus: electricity, gas, capital repairs, etc. The pension is over;

— If the quality of services also increased proportionally to the growth of tariffs—it would be wonderful. Clean water in the tap and radiators of adequate temperature—are a rarity, unfortunately.

The question of how much residents had to pay for utility services very quickly gathered dozens of comments on social networks. City residents shared with the portal 93.RU that they did not expect to see such bills:

For a two-room apartment 9600 rubles (about $96);

Utilities and capital repairs for 14,000 rubles (about $140);

For a two-room apartment of 46 square meters, it came out to 6100 rubles (about $61), plus 1200 rubles for electricity (about $12), plus capital repairs and gas;

6700 rubles (about $67) for an empty one-room apartment, in shock;

Oh, how I envy you. Two-room apartment 70 square meters—17,600 rubles (about $176);

The payment slip came for 9700 rubles (about $97). Last month it was 7200 rubles (about $72). This is for a three-room apartment of 62 square meters;

One-room—8500 rubles (about $85);

Three-room—8363 rubles (about $84). I live alone, I pour water and burn light alone.