Can I opt out of district heating?
You can shut off your radiators — but the bill does not fall to zero. Heating is not an individual service: supply to the building is decided by the building as a whole, and a full opt-out for the building is possible only by a decision of the general assembly, carried by owners of at least two thirds of the ideal shares. Individually, you can ask for your own radiators to be disconnected: you file a written application with the heating company under its general terms, and the company must complete the disconnection within one month. But under the Energy Act you still owe the "building installation" charge afterwards — the heat given off by the pipes running through your flat — as well as your share of heating the common parts.
📋 The rules
- Whole-building opt-out: a decision by 2/3 of the ideal shares
- Individual disconnection: a written application to the company
- The disconnection is carried out within one month
- The "building installation" charge remains payable
- So does your share of heating the common parts
🔓 Exceptions
- Only the allocation for your own radiators stops, not the building installation
- Hot water can be given up separately from the heating
- Disconnection is done by the company — not by capping the pipes yourself
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unpaid heating bills are an ordinary money debt and are collected under art. 410 of the Civil Procedure Code: the company applies, the court issues an order for payment with no full trial unless you object within 2 weeks, and then come a writ of execution, an enforcement agent and attachment. Claims for periodic payments are time-barred after 3 years — but the limitation defence must be raised; the court does not apply it of its own motion. Capping the radiators yourself does not end the contract and does not stop the charges — disconnection is carried out only by the company, on application.
📎 Official sources
- lex.bg · Energy Act →
- Toplofikatsia Sofia · Opting out of the service →
- Energy and Water Regulatory Commission →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I opt out on my own?
You can ask for your own radiators to be disconnected by written application to the company. A full opt-out for the building needs a general assembly decision by 2/3 of the ideal shares.
Does the bill stop completely?
No. Even after opting out you owe the "building installation" charge — the heat given off by the pipes running through your flat — and your share of heating the common parts.
Can I just cap the radiators myself?
No. Capping them yourself does not end the contract and the charges keep running. Disconnection is carried out only by the heating company, on a filed application.
How long do they have to disconnect me?
The company must complete the disconnection within one month of receiving your application, following the procedure set out in its general terms.
What happens with unpaid bills?
They are collected under art. 410 — an order for payment with no trial unless you object within 2 weeks. Periodic claims are time-barred after 3 years, but you must raise that defence.
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