Clarification from the Natural Monopolies Regulatory Committee on Increases in Billing Statements

Currently, there is a moratorium on raising tariffs for regulated public utilities in Kazakhstan. The Natural Monopolies Regulatory Committee of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its regional departments have not reviewed or increased tariffs for electricity, heat supply, water supply, and wastewater services.

Billing for heating services for December 2025 and January 2026 was based on actual readings from building-level heat meters and distributed among consumers proportional to apartment area, which complies with current legal requirements.

The investigation revealed that the increase in amounts on billing statements for January 2026 is due to heightened actual consumption of heat energy during the heating season. Consumption volume is influenced by temperature conditions and heating supply regime. For instance, the average monthly temperature in Astana was -8 °C in December last year and -14.3 °C in January this year, affecting the rise in heat energy consumption.

Charges for electricity, water supply, and wastewater services are based on actual meter readings. If readings are submitted on time, the billing is for the volume actually consumed.

Tariffs for regulated public utilities are set without including value-added tax (VAT). When services are actually rendered, VAT is included in billing documents, which affects the final payment amount. On average, billing increases in statements are around 3–4%, which does not constitute a tariff increase.

Example: if the billing amount for 5 cubic meters of water supply at the approved tariff is 500 tenge, at a VAT rate of 12% the tax would be 60 tenge, resulting in a total of 560 tenge. At a VAT rate of 16%, the tax would be 80 tenge, and the total would be 580 tenge. Thus, the actual payment increase is 20 tenge, or about 3.6% of the previously paid amount.

Billing statements typically include not only regulated public utilities but also other charges related to services offered in a competitive environment. The increase in final amounts in statements could be due not only to the volume of actual utility resource consumption but also to changes in charges for ancillary services.

Analysis of inquiries indicated complaints are individual in nature and related to specific billing peculiarities of residential units. For detailed explanations, it is recommended to contact the natural monopoly entity responsible for the billing.

If dissatisfied with the response, consumers have the right to file a complaint with the regional department of the Natural Monopolies Regulatory Committee or through the Unified Platform for Receiving and Processing Citizen Appeals, 'e-Otinish.' If necessary, the regional department will conduct an unscheduled inspection of the monopolist.

A mechanism for housing assistance is provided for socially vulnerable categories to prevent excessive financial burdens on consumers.

Photo: gov.kz