Kyiv High-Rise Left Without Heating and Hot Water as Kovalska Refuses to Approve New OSBB Contract with Naftogaz
Kostiantyn Golubtsov
Published: July 29 2026 at 07:21 pmSource: MyUkraineis.org
Residents of the "Parkova Vezha" residential complex at 2g Peremyshlska Street in Kyiv have been left without hot water and central heating. This crisis is not the result of missile attacks or network accidents, but stems directly from actions taken by their former property management company, Kovalska-Zhitloservis (part of the Kovalska group). This was reported to Tramway by Oleksandr Kozachenko, head of the building’s OSBB (condominium owners association).
As previously reported, Kovalska-Zhitloservis abandoned service operations for four of its own residential developments in Kyiv earlier in 2026, including Parkova Vezha. At the time, Kovalska cited accumulated resident utility debts as the reason for stepping away. Now, as residents have formed an independent OSBB to operate their own heating system, the same Kovalska entity is actively blocking their ability to secure gas supplies.
What Happened: Naftogaz Sees Old Contract and Kovalska Debt
The newly formed OSBB prepared a complete documentation package to launch its own boiler house—both for the upcoming heating season and to restore hot water supply. However, when the OSBB chairman approached Naftogaz Trading to execute a gas supply contract, the application was rejected.
The supplier’s system still reflects an active contract registered to Kovalska-Zhitloservis at that address. Naftogaz refuses to execute a new agreement without formal sign-off from Kovalska and the resolution of its existing debt. Currently, Kovalska’s total outstanding debt to Naftogaz stands at approximately 10 million UAH.
Kovalska Rejects Personal Negotiation
OSBB Chairman Oleksandr Kozachenko personally visited the Kovalska-Zhitloservis head office to negotiate a resolution. Kovalska representatives refused to sign any documentation. Instead, the company verbally claimed that approximately 700,000 UAH of their total corporate debt belongs specifically to this single building.
However, Kovalska provided no audit reports, consumption statements, or accounting records to substantiate this claim. Why the amount was cited as 700,000 UAH—rather than 100,000 UAH or 2 million UAH—remains completely unverified.
Legal Analysis: Kovalska's Actions Lack Legal Standing
Legal expert and attorney Andriy Tkachuk explained to Tramway that the legal exposure in this dispute lies with Kovalska and Naftogaz, not the OSBB:
- Right to Service: Under Ukrainian law, an OSBB has a statutory right to contract for gas supply with an authorized provider. This right cannot be blocked by a third party (Kovalska-Zhitloservis) that is itself in default.
- Corporate Separation of Debt: The debt of Kovalska-Zhitloservis belongs exclusively to that legal entity. An OSBB is an independent entity, and third-party liabilities do not transfer to it automatically. Unverified claims of a "building debt" hold no legal weight without supporting contracts, acts, and primary consumption data.
- Adhesion Contract Rules: Natural gas supply agreements are executed as adhesion contracts under Article 634 of the Civil Code of Ukraine. Execution depends solely on the applicant meeting supplier criteria—not on consent from a defaulting third party like Kovalska.
- Supplier of Last Resort: If Naftogaz Trading maintains its refusal, the OSBB will automatically transition to the supplier of last resort (Naftogaz of Ukraine). The building will receive gas, though under less favorable commercial terms.
Legal Recommendation: The OSBB should formally document Kovalska’s refusal, send a legal demand to Kovalska for debt documentation within 10 business days, and submit an official inquiry to Naftogaz Trading requesting written legal grounds for refusal. This written refusal will serve as the basis for court action or a formal complaint to NEURC (the state energy regulator).
Broken Marketing Promises: Kovalska's Pattern of Unfulfilled Commitments
This heating dispute is not the first issue residents have faced with Kovalska. During apartment sales, Kovalska sales agents explicitly promised buyers private access to the adjacent "Parkove Misto" park as a key selling point.
However, the management of "Parkove Misto" had no knowledge of such an agreement and denied residents access once discovered. No legal agreement ever existed between the developers. Notably, Kovalska’s sales department continued advertising park access to prospective buyers even after learning the promise could not be fulfilled.
Kovalska's Ongoing Exit from Kyiv Property Management
Negotiations remain ongoing as the OSBB demands formal financial documentation from Kovalska to prepare the boiler house before winter. Real residents are currently living without hot water and facing the threat of a cold winter—not because of war damage, but because Kovalska has failed to resolve its own corporate debts independently.
Previously, Kovalska-Zhitloservis unilaterally ceased management of four major residential complexes across Kyiv, including properties on:
- Peremyshlska St., 2g
- Kasyana St., 2/1
- Sribnokilska St., 2a
- Mishyhy St., 12
At the time, Kovalska attributed the decision to resident payment defaults, creating ongoing administrative and utility challenges for homeowners across the capital.
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