Electricity and water bills converted to residential rates, reducing expenses by 30% for residents of “Home for Builders and Managers” in Minhang, Shanghai
Aviation Apartment in Xinhong Sub-district, Minhang District, Shanghai Serves as a Home for Urban Constructors and Managers Converted from Non-residential Use
“The utility bills are now charged at residential rates. With the air conditioning on during hot weather, I can save over 100 yuan a month…” said Xiao Zhu, a food delivery rider residing at the Home for Urban Constructors and Managers at Aviation Apartment in Xinhong Sub-district, Minhang District, Shanghai, happily.
Originally, Aviation Apartment served as a Home for Urban Constructors and Managers converted from non-residential use. Since its opening in April this year, it had been charging utilities at commercial rates. To “lighten the burden” on residents, the Minhang District Disciplinary Inspection Commission and Supervisory Committee designated the Home for Urban Constructors and Managers as an annual political supervision project, progressively implementing residential utility rates for the 16 Homes for Urban Constructors and Managers converted from non-residential use across the district, reducing each household’s monthly utility expenses by approximately 30%.
Renowned as the “Rider Building”, Aviation Apartment, converted from an old factory, houses over 100 food delivery riders.
Expensive Utilities, Affordable Lodging
The Home for Urban Constructors and Managers at Aviation Apartment, converted from an old factory and renowned as the “Rider Building”, houses over 100 food delivery riders.
Xiao Zhu did the math for the reporter. The monthly rent per person is 700 yuan, but during the summer peak electricity usage period, the utilities for a single room can range from 200 to 300 yuan a month. “I have to deliver 70 to 80 orders to earn that back. Many residents hope to use residential utility rates. I wonder if that’s possible?”
During routine supervision and research, the Minhang District Disciplinary Inspection Commission and Supervisory Committee found that tenants in the 16 Homes for Urban Constructors and Managers converted from non-residential use across the district were not enjoying residential utility rates. Currently, there are 22 Homes for Urban Constructors and Managers in Minhang, both completed and ongoing, with bed rents ranging from 500 to 1000 yuan. In terms of type, there are more market-oriented non-residential conversion projects adopting commercial utility models.
The relevant department head at the Minhang District Disciplinary Inspection Commission and Supervisory Committee believes that the commercial water rate is 5.99 yuan per ton, and the peak electricity rate is 0.93 to 1.2 yuan per kWh, resulting in high monthly utility expenses. For urban constructors and frontline workers like food delivery riders, this is a significant burden.
The Operator Bears the Price Difference Until Renovation is Complete
Aviation Apartment is currently proceeding with utility renovations in an orderly manner. The project operator has committed in writing to charge residents at residential utility rates from October 1st onward, with the operator bearing the price difference until the utility line renovations are completed.
After the rectification, each household’s monthly utility expenses will be reduced by approximately 30%.
Statistics show that the electricity rate has been reduced from 0.93 to 1.2 yuan per kWh to 0.64 yuan per kWh, and the water rate has been reduced from 5.99 yuan per ton to 4.32 yuan per ton and 4.05 yuan per ton (for sub-meters). After the rectification, each household’s monthly utility expenses will be reduced by approximately 30%.
To date, approximately 3000 food delivery riders, courier delivery personnel, medical staff, etc., residing in the 16 Homes for Urban Constructors and Managers converted from non-residential use in Minhang District, are all paying utilities at rates not exceeding residential standards. During the utility renovation period, the project operators are bearing the price difference.
Furthermore, the Minhang District Disciplinary Inspection Commission and Supervisory Committee is collecting opinions and suggestions from various parties on the construction of the Homes for Urban Constructors and Managers through multiple channels. They are working with the District Housing Authority to summarize and address ten issues related to supply, operation management, and supporting services, and will continue to follow up on the project construction and rectification progress.
