Hanger Hill Flats Hit With Huge Service Charge
Greystoke Court residents being asked to pay up to £55,000
A group shot of the residents (including Louise Ben-Nathan), Hina Bokhari AM and Councillor Gary Malcolm
September 26, 2024
Residents of a 1920s block of flats just off Hanger Hill have reacted with horror after receiving unscheduled additional service charges of up to £55,000.
People living in Greystoke Court say that payment for the levy, which comes on top of their normal service charge, is being demanded within 21 days leaving the leaseholders ‘shocked, distressed, and feeling utterly helpless’. For the larger flats in the development the existing service charge is already over £10,000 meaning some leaseholders are being asked to pay £65,000.
The residents say proper explanation has been given of the detail of the planned works from the freeholder. The bill for the additional work is understood to be £1.4million and includes the replacement of the roof of the old block. Residents say their own surveyor has told them that this work Is not necessary. They further allege that costs relating to the development of new flats are being passed on to leaseholders.
It is further claimed that many promises to install fire doors and repair lifts have not been fulfilled, even though residents have been billed for it, and that work to demolish a bin shed was not being safely managed with walls being ripped open with potentially dangerous contents including asbestos remaining in place.
One of the leaseholders said, “The residents of Greystoke Court are calling for immediate action to address the injustice of freeholders having the power to levy such absurd service charges with little to no accountability. For many, these unexpected demands are financially crippling, and the lack of meaningful oversight in the current system leaves leaseholders vulnerable to unchecked costs. For many of us, our homes are being held hostage by a system that allows freeholders to impose outrageous charges without any regard for the financial strain this puts on residents.”
The relationship with the freeholder has been fraught after it was purchased in August of last year by a developer hoping to build two additional floors on what residents describe as the new block. Additionally there is planning permission in place to remodel the roof of the old block to fit 4 flats. This remodelling includes the installation of dormer windows, balconies, roof lights and heat pump vents.
The demolished bin store at Greystoke Court
Around a year ago, shortly after heavy machinery was brought to the site to commence building work, vehicular access to the old block was closed off which the residents say was done without prior warning. This made deliveries difficult and caused problems for the disabled, elderly and those with prams. No work took place at the site for around 14 weeks and one resident took out an injunction to have access to the old block restored. It was not until May 2024 that work started at which point a flat at the top of the old block was demolished, a bin shed dismantled and a number of trees cut down. Leaseholders say that the site was in disarray and work ceased this month when a group of 34 of them made an application to the First Tier Tribunal which deals with early-stage property disputes.
Residents says that the only communication they have received from the freeholder have been two newsletters which did not provide a return address for any issues to be raised and the second of which the residents described as antagonistic.
The managing agent has put in place a five-year payment plan for residents to meet the bills. However, when residents didn’t settle the works bill within 21 days, they were threatened with legal action and their mortgage company was contacted with additional legal costs of up to £490 demanded.
Hina Bokhari AM Leader of London Assembly Liberal Democrats, who sits on the London Assembly Fire Committee, said, “I am disappointed that local residents have described extremely aggressive behaviour from a developer, allegedly demanding payment of huge service charges with very little evidence of what the money is being spent on.
“The lack of transparency being reported by residents is unacceptable. In addition to this, the residents have complained about being subjected to building work that could risk their health and safety, with a poorly managed site that had no signage or adequate measures expected in considerate development sites. I was utterly shocked at what I was shown when I visited the site.”
Exposed walls which residents say may contain asbestos
Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, said, “Liberal Democrats have listened and seen how the freeholder has treated these residents so badly. They have felt threatened and are left with their garden in state of disarray, not safely maintained and potentially asbestosis present causing harm to those near or in the garden.”
The freeholder of the building is Albemarle Ealing No 1 Ltd. We have been unable to contact the company or the managing agent for comment.
A by-election is taking place in Hanger Hill ward on 10 October.
The candidates are:
Kate Crossland (The Green Party)
Sean Hanrahan (Conservatives)
Guneet Singh Malik (Labour Party)
Jonathan Mark Oxley (Liberal Democrat)
Fabio Pukaj (Reform UK)
Wagdi Thabit (Workers Party of Britain)
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