Recently, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) increased its electricity price to VND 2,204.06/KWh from May 10. From 2023 to present, EVN has adjusted electricity prices 4 times and implemented them under its authority, with an increase of more than 17%.
For students and workers in the provinces coming to Hanoi to study and work, the pressure is increasing with the worry that landlords will increase prices.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Hang (Cau Giay, Hanoi) said that she had received a notice from the homeowner that the electricity price would increase to VND4.5 thousand/tael instead of VND4 thousand/tael as before, the application period started in early June.
"My average use rate per summer is about 300 electricity units/month, with increased electricity prices, which will force us to pay an additional 150 thousand VND per month. This is a big fee for students like us" - Hang said.
Hang's concern also reflects the common mood of many other students. Not only facing tuition fees and increasing living expenses, many young people also have to try to save every penny to cover their daily expenses. The increase in electricity prices of boarding houses has caused a lot of pressure, as it may increase the financial burden on students.
In an interview with Lao Dong, Lawyer Nguyen Pho Dung - Director of OPIC Law Firm and Associates, Hanoi Bar Association assessed that the fact that landlords charge electricity bills of VND45 thousand/kWh is higher than the maximum price prescribed and violates the provisions of law.
Lawyer Nguyen Pho Dung believes that in order for landlords to get electricity prices in accordance with the provisions of the law on electricity prices, many synchronous solutions are needed, not just regulations and sanctions.
"First of all, it is necessary to actively propagate and mobilize landlords to collect electricity bills in accordance with the provisions of law. It is necessary to improve and specify the issuance of separate and clear regulations on electricity prices applied to boarding houses and rental houses to avoid misunderstandings or intentional exploitation to collect electricity bills for business. At the same time, build a separate electricity price calculation mechanism for homeowners instead of applying progressive factors such as household electricity" - Lawyer Nguyen Pho Dung said.
According to Lawyer Nguyen Pho Dung, on the side of authorities, it is necessary to strengthen inspection, examination, and prosecution; increase fines and add additional penalties such as forcing the return of excess revenue, temporarily suspending lease activities, etc.
In particular, raising awareness and protecting the rights of tenants, building a mechanism for reporting violations directly via the hotline and propagating information so that tenants can easily know and report. Request landlords to publicly post electricity prices in the rental area easily and clearly stated in the rental contract.
