Fines for air conditioning in Ukraine: will there be penalties for condensation in 2026?
Bill No. 4619 was registered with the Verkhovna Rada on 21 January 2021. The document proposed amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences and the introduction of liability for draining condensate from air conditioners into places not designed for this purpose.
This referred to cases where water from an air-conditioning unit flows:
onto building façades;
onto pavements;
onto the carriageway;
onto passers-by.
For a first offence, it was proposed to impose a fine of 100 non-taxable minimum incomes. That is 1,700 hryvnias.
For a repeat offence within a year, the fine was to be 200 non-taxable minimum incomes, i.e. 3,400 hryvnias.
Is there currently a fine for air conditioning?
As of 2026, there is no specific fine for air-conditioner condensate in Ukraine. Parliament did not pass Bill No. 4619.
The Verkhovna Rada’s website states that a draft resolution to reject the bill has been registered, and the bill itself has been withdrawn from consideration.
Therefore, air-conditioning owners cannot be fined specifically under the provision proposed in this draft law.
When an air-conditioner owner might still face problems
The absence of a specific fine does not mean that an air-conditioner can be installed without regard for town planning regulations, safety and neighbours’ rights.
If condensation damages the façade or other people’s property, floods balconies, poses a danger to passers-by or breaches local town planning regulations, the owner may face claims in other ways. In particular, through a demand to rectify the breach or compensate for the damage caused.
Separately, rules may be laid down by owners’ associations, building managers or local authorities within the framework of town planning regulations. Therefore, the safest option is to drain condensation into a specially designated area, rather than onto the façade or pavement.
How it works in Europe
In some European countries, the rules regarding air-conditioning units are stricter. For example, in Romania, it is prohibited to discharge condensate from outdoor air-conditioning units onto pavements or the carriageway.
Equipment owners must ensure that water is drained correctly so that it does not cause inconvenience to pedestrians or damage urban infrastructure. Local authorities may impose fines of up to 2,000 Romanian lei for breaches. This is approximately 20,000 hryvnias.
What air-conditioning owners should do
Although there is no specific fine for air-conditioning units in Ukraine, owners should check where the condensate is draining. If water is dripping onto the building’s façade, a neighbour’s balcony, the pavement or the road, it is best to install a proper drainage system.
This will help avoid disputes with neighbours, as well as complaints from the building manager, the owners’ association or the local authorities.
Follow us on Telegram
