Sejm passes law to help “Czyste Powietrze” participants defrauded by contractors

The Sejm, with no votes against — 432 in favour, nine abstentions — passed a special law to help homeowners who were defrauded by contractors in the Czyste Powietrze thermal modernisation programme. The law will now go to the Senate.

Environmental protection funds will be able to suspend the payment of debts, write them off and recover the money from fraudsters themselves. According to the Ministry of Climate, some firms took subsidies through pre-financing and powers of attorney without doing the work, and the debts remained with homeowners. To receive help, the victim must first report to law enforcement.

Payments are suspended for the duration of the criminal case, and a sentence against an unscrupulous contractor relieves the homeowner of financial liability to the fund. Convicted contractors will be barred from the programme for five years. The law applies to contracts concluded from 15 July 2022 to 28 November 2024, and also extends to heirs.