Fullhouse 24an independent reference on home and household

An independent reference on home and household. Not a property management company and not connected with the former site on this domain. Leave gas and electrical wiring work to professionals; if you smell gas in Russia, call 104 or 112.

Reference

Reference

This section explains terms that everyone meets when paying for utilities, calling out a tradesperson or reading a household chemical label. The definitions are short and based on the law, official systems and official safety guidance. Where the procedure depends on the region, the building or the provider, we do not go into details we cannot confirm. The utility terms describe the system in Russia; utilities and emergency numbers differ by country, and 112 is the EU-wide emergency number.

Talking to your management company or a tradesperson gets easier once you know what the broken thing is called.

— Editor's note

Utilities and bills

Housing Code of the Russian Federation
The main law on housing relations: the rights and obligations of owners and tenants, building management, and payment for housing and utilities. Adopted in 2004, in force since 1 March 2005.
Personal account
The number under which a supplier or management organisation records the charges for your home. It is shown on your bill and is needed for payments and enquiries.
Management company
An organisation that manages an apartment building under contract and maintains its common property. Its contact details are usually on your bill.
Utility supplier
A supplier of a utility resource — water, heat, electricity or gas. It sometimes bills residents directly.
GIS ZhKKh
The State Information System of Housing and Utilities, created under Federal Law No. 209-FZ of 21 July 2014. Through it and Gosuslugi you can view charges and submit readings where the region and provider support this.

Building services

Riser
A vertical water supply, heating or drainage pipe shared by several flats. Any work on a riser is agreed with the building maintenance organisation.
Stop valve
A valve at the point where water enters the flat, used to shut off the water in case of a leak. It is worth knowing where it is and checking from time to time that it turns.
Meter
A water, heat, electricity or gas meter. Water and heat meters undergo periodic verification.
Verification interval
The period between verifications of a meter. It is stated in the meter's data sheet; that document, not advice from the internet, determines when the next verification is due.
Circuit breaker and RCD
Devices in the consumer unit that cut off a circuit in case of overload, short circuit or current leakage. If they trip all the time, call an electrician rather than replacing them yourself.

Cleaning and household chemicals

Cleaning
Removing visible dirt, grease and dust — with water, detergent and physical effort. Every clean-up starts with it.
Disinfection
Treatment that reduces the number of microorganisms on a surface. It is done only after cleaning and strictly following the product's instructions.
Chlorine-based products
Bleaching and disinfecting products based on chlorine compounds. They must never be mixed with acidic products or ammonia: hazardous gases are released.
Original packaging
The packaging a product is sold in, with its ingredients and instructions. Chemicals are never decanted into drinks bottles and are kept out of children's reach.
Five Keys to Safer Food
WHO recommendations: keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, use safe water and raw materials.

Articles on the topics of this section

  • Practical

    A step-by-step deep clean without excess chemicals, plus a catalogue of upcoming articles.

  • Questions

    Short answers about bills and meters, kitchen safety and when to call a professional.

  • Collections

    Reading routes: your first flat, getting ready for winter and summer, a home with children and pets.

  • Questions

    Short answers about bills and meters, kitchen safety and when to call a professional.

  • Topics

    A map of the reference: order and storage, kitchen and food, utilities, repairs and maintenance.

  • Practical

    A step-by-step deep clean without excess chemicals, plus a catalogue of upcoming articles.

Sources

  • Housing Code of the Russian Federation
  • Federal Law No. 209-FZ on the State Information System of Housing and Utilities (GIS ZhKKh)
  • WHO — Five Keys to Safer Food
  • EMERCOM of Russia — safety leaflets

Information is accurate as of the preparation date. Housing and utility rules, the way meter readings are submitted and official service guidance change over time, so check current details in the original sources, on your own bill and with your service provider.