July 2, 2013. Starting July 1, the rates set for six kinds of communal housing services went up by 10 to 15% on average in Sverdlovsk Region and in the rest of Russia. This increase was announced as early as last year and was explained by the necessity of the country’s socioeconomic development.

In Sverdlovsk Region, the upper limit on an increase in retail prices of natural and liquefied gas and heating energy is set at 15% for private households. The water and central heating rates rose by 12% on average.

In Russia on the whole, the heating and water supply rates grew by 10% on average. The households’ electricity bills went up by 12% to 15% on average.

In 2012, the rates were adjusted on July 1 as well, with increase coming to 5.6% to 6% then. In 2011, the increase occurred on January 1 and amounted to 10%.

In 2014, the natural monopolies’ rate growth will be limited by the last year’s inflation rate, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in June. This will be the case for the following five years, Prime says.