Press-release of 20.07.2010

The Moscow Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (the Moscow OFAS Russia) initiated a case against "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. for the signs of violating Clause 10 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition".

Under the antimonopoly law, the company infringed the interests of undetermined number of people by fixing overrated prices (tariffs) for providing utility services as well as applying heating tariffs that are not approved by the government tariff regulator.

The Moscow OFAS Russia received a petition from the residents of an apartment block about actions of "PIK-Comfort" Ltd.

According to the petitioners, "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. is overcharging the prices (tariffs) for utility services and repair and maintenance of the apartment block.

Investigating the petition, the Moscow OFAS Russia established that "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. was applying different prices (tariffs) for repair and maintenance of the apartment block for the future owners and tenants.

Copies of utilities receipts submitted by the residents showed that "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. set the tariff for repair and maintenance of the residential house (with an elevator but without a garbage disposal unit) for the tenant of No. ??? apartment - at 7.72 Rubles per square meter, and for the future owner of No. ??? apartment - at 31.51 Rubles per square meter.

Based on the obtained information, the Moscow OFAS Russia initiated a case against "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. for the signs of violating Clause 10 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition".

"Such kind of cases are quite important", said the Head of the Moscow OFAS Russia Vladimir Yefimov. "We will carefully investigate all aspects of the case so the final decision fully resolves any disputes and contradictions between the parties".

The case against "PIK-Comfort" Ltd. is scheduled for 16th August 2010.