The system of housing and utilities in the foreign countries

The reform of the housing sector in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the purpose of market reforms in the initial stage was not raised. This can be explained by the fact that: First priority was given to the reform measures to liberalize the economy, the creation of multi-structural forms of property, labor, capital, etc.; Secondly, some CEE countries have started reforms in the field of housing - communal services (HCS) before the start of transition to a market economy. However, the transition to a market economy has created a significant need to review the housing policy in general. In this regard, the reform of public utilities was included in the plans for reforms in all CEE countries, but the ways of their implementation have been individually in each country. This was due to a variety of financial opportunities and individual pace of reforms in each country. Despite this, there are common features that can be identified in each country in CEE:

• •    transition from state housing finance in favour of private;

• •    restitution of privatization of the housing stock;

• •    changes in the mechanism of housing maintenance and system of payment for housing - communal services (HCS);

• •    changes in the mechanisms of social protection of the population on the content and presentation of dwellings.

Going directly to the analysis of the control system utilities may be noted that in Slovakia, despite the general trend, utility rates grew at a moderate pace. In the country, and there is now a practice of obtaining municipal utilities subsidies from the state, thus, curbing the growth rates is still possible in this country.

Of all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Poland became a pioneer of radical changes in the field of public utilities. Due to this, the country managed to achieve stability in the sector (reform has been held for 15 years): there is no problem of mass non-payment, the exhaust system of subsidies, tariffs, credits and exemptions.

Common to all these countries is that the great role of homeowners' associations (OSZH), which is a non-profit consumer organization that unites the owners of real property or the shareholders, created to manage the complex real estate, ensuring operation of the complex, possession, use and disposition of property. In Hungary and Slovakia they are bearing the name of "Housing cooperatives".

An important element in Hungary, Slovakia and Poland is privatization, under it in these countries is a transfer to individuals not only property, but also control of enterprises and assets located in the state and municipal property. In fact - it's privatization without transfer of property rights.

In various European countries the cost of housing services may differ substantially. However, one thing remains common - residents have the right to choose the organization that supplies electricity, water and heat. For our country, this situation seems to be simply impossible, because the choice of the Russians simply do not have. But a resident of London, for example, can choose any two electricity providers - one to supply the light Day, one tariff, which is usually a little higher, and the second - at night. This is the situation in other European countries - consumers have the right to refuse service provider of water, if there was an organization offering more favourable rates.

Another pan-European feature: the absence of separate accounts for the hot water. Each apartment house has its own boiler, working mostly on electricity, so that instead of a centralized hot water supply services, residents simply pay extra for electricity. The cost of electricity varies greatly depending on the country. In Bulgaria, for example, for 1 kilowatt of energy will have to pay 0.01 Euros, while in Montenegro rate varies depending on the time of day - night electricity costs 0.06 Euros, in the afternoon - 0.08 Euros. In Spain, as residents pay 0.08 euro per

1 kW on the counter for electricity, but still pay extra 0.54 Euros a month as a monthly fee.

It should be noted that in many respects the system utilities in Europe is only for residents of integrity. Counters each apartment are usually installed in a separate room, where representatives of utilities come every month, take readings and make payment instalment amount. The Europeans then just pay the invoice date, fully trusting the correct charges.

In the Russian capital has steadily introduced differentiated payment for the electricity consumed, depending on the time of day. If we compare the ratio of the amount of payment for utility services and the value of per capita income, we find that on average Americans and residents of central and western Europe give 10% of their income on a monthly basis, paying bills for electricity, water, gas, garbage and other necessary services. Russians give an average 15-20% of their monthly income to pay for housing and communal services, the situation may vary depending on the average income by region.

It is worth noting that in Iceland there is no management companies themselves. Each house has its own fund to which residents are required to take a month about 11 thousand crowns, which is equivalent to 95 US dollars. If there were problems with the heating or water supply, managing the house, which is chosen by the people themselves, please contact the respective commercial organization, paying for repairs from the fund.

From this fund, which can be compared with our flat fee, funds are allocated for salaries and cleaner that monitors the purity of the door, the janitor and garbage disposal. In general, utilities cost Icelanders in the amount of about $ 200, and the contribution to the fund house is almost half of the monthly expenses. Extras cable TV - about $ 20 and council tax - about 1.5 dollars per square meter of living space. Gas, water and electricity will cost the people of Iceland only 7075 dollars.

Achieve a comparative cheapness of heating and electricity small northern country has managed through the use of geothermal heat and extremely effective system of housing and communal services. In addition, the people of Iceland are used to protect the house warm and have a very high level of energy efficiency.

Due to the need to promote competition, de-monopolization of the scope and efficiency of interaction between the subjects of public utilities there is a need to revise the structure of housing management. The structure of the interaction of levels of housing management including system information links at the regional and municipal levels.

Each level has a specific organizational structure, substantive and functional aspect of management. Developed level structure allows organizational management to separate the functions of each of them and determine the system of information communications system utilities in the region. An important feature of the proposed approach - focus on self-management of homeowners, which implies responsibility for their own and the general share property, choice and guarantee control of companies providing services related to the housing stock.

The supreme management body in a residential apartment building and the primary level of housing management is the general meeting of homeowners, which selects a method of controlling the home, the conditions of the common property and makes the final decisions. Proper organization of information support of the assembly, the motivation of participants, preparation of standard agendas of meetings and subsequent protection of the rights of owners is advantageously carried out under the control of the municipality. Timely and active work of the executive branch in matters of stimulating activity of the population, methodological assistance is an essential element of successful reform of the industry.

The second level of control displays various forms of housing management and their characteristics defined in the Housing Code. In practice today distinguish between two basic forms: the management company (CC) and homeowners (HOA). CC - organization professionally engaged in the management of the housing stock, plus work which consists in the professional approach to management, the possibility to accumulate the funds of several houses for overhaul in the presence of the production base. HOA - homeowner association for co-management and, in the confines of the law, disposal of real estate, the most democratic way to control when the owners manage their own property and common. A characteristic feature in the management of public utilities is the ability to directly control the tenants of their property without organization, dealing with professional management. However, the complexities involved in such a process of public participation in the management outweigh its advantages, so its widespread use is not rational.

Based on these features, there are recommendations that are appropriate to provide the owners to choose the best form of government houses. Identified four conditions (data) to be taken into consideration when choosing forms of governance: the total area of VF; the share of the common property; the dilapidated state of VF; the solvency of the population. Management efficiency is defined as the probability of proper implementation of basic management tasks -uninterrupted supply of good quality public services within the approved tariff.