We’ve been slapped with an £11k bill EACH for £1.2m of repairs on our seaside flats…despite £2,500 yearly service charge
RESIDENTS in a seaside town are fuming after being slapped with an £11k bill each for £1.2m of repairs on their flats despite a £2,500 yearly service charge.
Locals in Marine Crescent in Kent have been told to pay “as soon as is practicably possible” for “essential repairs”.
But many have vowed to not hand over a penny, believing the total £1.2 million cost of the works should be covered by the regular service charges paid by leaseholders.
Kelly Scott, who has owned one of the 92 flats since 2006, blasted the demands which have infuriated residents.
The 62-year-old editorial administrator said: “These quotes are fantastical. Most people in these flats don’t have £11,000 to cough up.
“I have paid £26,000 in service charges over the 17 years I have been here. Where has all that money gone?
“Nothing ever gets done to keep the building in good condition. My balcony is falling apart.
“These repairs should have taken place gradually over the years using the service charges we have been paying – not all in one go.”
The freehold of the block of flats is held by Sapphire Properties, which also owns a large number of flats within the Grade II-listed building.
The block, called Marine Crescent, is managed by estate agents Fell Reynolds, who wrote to the leaseholders in the remaining homes.
The firm says it has received three quotes for substantial repair work and they claim that the lowest quote comes in at about £1.2 million.
With £200,000 of this covered by a reserve fund of service charges, there is still a huge £1 million left to be found – more than £11,000 per flat.
Fell Reynolds writes: “This sum must come from the leaseholders, by way of a supplementary demand to the service charge.
“We are very aware of the difficult economic circumstances at present, however there is never a convenient time to make such a request and of course we do need to complete these repairs.”
The firm goes on to “encourage all owners to make full payment as soon as practicably possible”, asking those who cannot find the money “promptly” to make contact.
Pensioner Richard Highwood, 85, is fearful of the consequences, he said: “I have lived here since 2006 and have enjoyed being here for the most part – you couldn’t ask for anything more with the sea on your doorstep.
“But this is too much money for me at my age. I’m on a fixed pension so I would never be able to afford it.”
‘OUTRAGEOUS’ DEMANDS
Richard says he has always paid his service charge fees, which currently stand at £2,476 a year, but has never had anybody come to do work on his property.
He added: “They have never been in my flat and done anything maintenance wise.
“I had to pay out of my own pocket for pipe works recently – it’s quite outrageous really. I am concerned. It’s creating a lot of uncertainty for everyone here.”
In order to legally ask for huge sums from residents, property managers and freeholders are required to follow processes under Section 20 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985.
Fell Reynolds informed residents in January of its intention to carry out works, and has now given them until June 26 to comment on the pay demands.
The letter added: “I fully understand that this is a difficult request for many owners at Marine Crescent.
“Unfortunately the work is necessary to maintain a building of this nature, and the only source of funds is from leaseholders under the terms of the lease.
“Ultimately we take instruction from our client, the freeholder, who does not make decisions like these lightly.”
But some of the residents say they “would rather be taken to court” than pay the “appalling” amount of money demanded.
Katrina Harris, 72, who has owned her flat at Marine Crescent for 17 years, said: “We have had a leak in our flat for 15 years now and nothing has been done about that.
“We pay our service charges every year and never see any work being done on the building.
“We can pay the money, but that’s not the point. I’m not willing to pay anywhere near that amount – it’s appalling.
“They can take us to court – we will stick together as a group.”
‘RIDICULOUS’
Meanwhile Judi Varona, who bought her flat in 2020, believes she would “be a mug to sign the cheque”.
She said: “How are we expected to find this amount of money? We have been told nothing about when the repairs would even start.
“Do they really think by sending this letter that everyone here is going to send the money? It’s ridiculous.
“I have no faith in them to do a good job. We would be throwing our money down the drain.
“I am willing to contribute of course, but I won’t be handing the money over without a proper plan in place.”
A spokesperson for Fell Reynolds said: “As with any building, from time to time, essential repairs are needed to ensure that it remains a safe and comfortable place for flat owners and residents to enjoy.
“We have relied on the expertise of specialists to ensure that the works being proposed are as cost-effective and reasonable as possible.”
Fell Reynolds did not respond to claims that little work has been carried out on the building, nor questions concerning what would happen to those who do not pay the money requested.
Sapphire Properties (UK) Limited were also contacted for comment.
According to housing charity Shelter, leaseholders can take their freeholder to court.