Construction National

Residents blast council over £5k roofing bills

Pensioners have criticised council bosses after being threatened with bills for “unnecessary” renovations to their flats.
Griffin Estate leaseholders were left “scared stiff” after discovering they each faced paying thousands of pounds for roofing repair works.

Barrow Borough Council sent letters to almost 40 residents on March 28, estimating their respective shares of the cost and giving them 30 days to obtain their own quotes.

Allan Sykes, 66, of Longmynd Avenue, said his initial reaction to his proposed contribution of £5,110 was: “You’ve got no chance.”

He said there was nothing wrong with the flats’ roofing and, in many instances, residents could not afford to pay for the work.

“My wife and I are pensioners, but there are others on this estate who are far worse off than us and we’re all really upset about it,” Mr Sykes said.

“There are four flats (in my block) and if they get £5,110 off each of us, then that’s 20,000 quid and there’s no way on this earth that it costs 20,000 quid to get this roof repaired.

“It’s all been done under-handed. It says in our contract that anything over £250 for a repair bill is supposed to be negotiated.”

When leaseholders complained to the council, the housing department sent a second letter on April 3 apologising “for any distress caused” and offering to spread payments for the “essential” work over time.

But housing rights campaigner Pauline Charnley of Four Groves Community Association said some residents were “scared stiff” after receiving the letters.

“The council needs to explain why it’s on their list to be paid, even though none of them have ever been consulted about it.

“An official from housing needs to come and sit down with leaseholders and speak to them and explain it in terms that we all understand.”

The council’s housing manager, Colin Garnett said he hoped to organise a meeting with the leaseholders to discuss their concerns.

“We will explain to them fully the implications of what we’re looking to do and the reasoning behind why we’re proposing to do the work,” he said.

But Mr Garnett, who declined to be drawn into discussions with the Evening Mail about the cost of the work, would not concede the residents should have been consulted prior to sending the letters out and would not commit to extending the 30-day deadline.

“I think we have to wait and see what the discussion is at the meeting,” he said. “The deadline we have given is what, legally, their lease says and what we’re required to do.”