AZE.US
Building managers and maintenance companies in Azerbaijan do not have the legal authority to disconnect gas, water or electricity over unpaid building management fees, according to legal and property experts, amid recurring complaints from residents of newly constructed apartment blocks.
Residents in some new developments report receiving notices warning that utilities could be suspended if so-called “commandant” or maintenance debts are not settled.
Such fees typically cover elevator operation, cleaning, security, yard maintenance and shared electricity for common areas.
While Azerbaijani law obliges apartment owners to contribute to the upkeep of shared property, experts say enforcement mechanisms are limited and do not extend to cutting off essential utilities.
Utility services are provided directly by state or authorized service providers under individual contracts with residents, meaning only those entities can legally suspend supply and only under conditions defined by legislation, specialists noted.
Any attempt by building management to independently restrict gas, water or electricity could therefore be challenged in court or reported to prosecutors.
Analysts say disputes are most common in newly built residential complexes where governance structures remain unclear, formal contracts with residents are incomplete, and tariff transparency or financial reporting is weak.
The issue highlights broader concerns about accountability and regulatory clarity in the rapidly expanding housing sector of Azerbaijan.