Wolverhampton flat owners hit with £221k repairs bill

Owners and landlords at Merridale Court are facing the huge fees after a tribunal ruled that they must foot a huge £221,000 bill.

Lee Smith, who rents out a flat and has been issued with a £10,000 charge, has claimed he will go to prison before paying out, while Alan Smith, whose mother Jean was handed a £12,000 invoice, doesn't know how the 88-year-old will find the cash to pay.

Wolverhampton Homes, the council's property arm, claim essential work must be carried out to fix, roofing, asphalt, gas and electric.

Of the properties in the block, 21 are owned by private landlords, while the remaining 14 are still owned by Wolverhampton Homes, who carry out all the maintenance work. Private landlords pay a premium for any repairs needed.

However Mr Smith, who owns a flooring company and has vast experience in the building trade, insists the amount appears inflated, and says he is being charged for repairs on a balcony that he doesn't even have.

He also believes it's unfair to charge a lump sum to elderly residents who don't have the energy to fight back.

He said: "There are 35 flats in block nine, I have divided £221,524.57 by 35 and this totals £6,329.27. Why is my bill £10,548.79?

"I work in the building trade owning a contract flooring company, what companies have they got the figures from?.

"I have no balcony and no so called communal area as I am ground floor so why should I pay for repairs to these?

"There is not a lot of equity in my flat and the rent just about covers the mortgage, so what little I have left will not be given to a council that has forced this bill on myself, if court action or jail for myself is what the future brings, so be it.

"Before I ever make a payment for this bill, I will be handing the keys over to Wolverhampton Homes."

He added: "They've just not repaired it properly over the years. Now they've decided we haven't got much money so we'll have £10,000 or £12,000 off us. How can it be fair?"

In a letter to Wolverhampton Homes, he wrote: "You could do the right thing and buy my flat off me at market rate and swallow the repair cost as it will not add £10,548.79 to the value of my flat.

"I am hoping you will stand up, look me in the face and take the keys from me personally."

Jean Smith, 88, who lives in the block in a flat she owns, has been hit with a £12,000 bill.

Her son Alan said: "My mother is 88. This has been going on for quite a while.

"She owns her own flat.

"She's already had one heart bypass and she's not in the greatest of health. How is she going to pay a bill like that? She's paid everything the council have asked for repairs before.

"You shouldn't have to pay again when you've already pay your money."

A Wolverhampton Homes spokesman said: "We are about to start a huge works project at Merridale Court carrying out major external refurbishments.

"We asked an independent property tribunal to ensure that the works and the associated costs are both fair and reasonable. Merridale Court residents and Wolverhampton Homes officers attended the five-day tribunal.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank those who took an active interest in what is going on. It was acknowledged that due to the high costs, leaseholders will find it difficult to pay their invoices upon demand.

"We and the city council have therefore reviewed the payments policy regarding leaseholder charges."

Residents had their plight raised in parliament in 2014.

Ex-Wolverhampton South West MP Paul Uppal asked local government minister at the time Brandon Lewis: "In my constituency, some residents of Merridale Court are being charged up to £12,000 by Wolverhampton Homes, with bills that have come all at once rather than spread over a period of time.

"Do ministers think it is fair and reasonable that those pensioners should have to pay those fees?"