Couple halt wedding over council bill (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Couple halt wedding over council bill

12:55pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

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A COUPLE’S wedding plans have been shattered after the council slapped them with an ‘extortionate’ bill of £11,000 for roof repairs on their leasehold flat.

Neil Jordan and Kaye McBlain, of St Paul’s Place off Hatfield Road in St Albans, were shocked to receive a letter from St Albans District Council about the staggering costs of the work last week.

Fourteen other leaseholders will also have to find an extra £185 a month over the next five years to pay for the work, but have vowed to fight the cost claiming it is ‘outrageous’ to expect people to be able to afford it.

But the council is allowed under the lease terms to make necessary repairs and says it has already been compassionate in stretching the payment over five years, instead of the standard two.

Mr Jordan, who works for a bank in London, said: “The cost is extortionate and is it outrageous that they expect anyone to be able to afford it, especially how things are at the moment.

“It’s ruined our Christmas, and more.

“It’s the equivalent of a wedding, which has really shaken our plans. It’s the worst timing.

“The pressure and stress of it all is constantly hanging over our heads.

“We knew they were considering some works – but nothing on this scale.

“When we received the letter we just couldn’t believe what we were reading – we thought it had to be a joke.

“We were completely shocked, but at the same time not surprised because we have always had problems with St Albans District Council.

“But I am not accepting these costs – I’m going to fight for them to be brought down and I know a lot of the other residents are doing the same.”

The total cost of the works, approximately £230,558, will be split equally between the 16 leaseholders and eight council tenants, with the council paying the latter share.

The council will also be adding solar panels the roofs of the flats as part of a pilot scheme for greener energy in the distract.

At first the leaseholders believed they would be footing the bill for the addition, but the council has confirmed that costs relating to solar panels will not be passed to tenants and apologised for misleading tenants.

The £11,000 is solely for the repair of the ‘disintegrating’ roof.

Housing officers at the council say they will speak to tenants individually about the plans and intend to hold a meeting for residents.

Davina Mansell, for the council said: “The council has a contractual arrangement with the leaseholders who have chosen to buy the leasehold rights from the freeholder, the council.

“They are therefore responsible for the liabilities as well as the benefits of owning the leasehold of their homes.

“The council is obliged to recover costs due to them under contracted arrangements, as this forms the revenue that it uses to pay for the services it supplies to residents and taxpayers.

“However the council is always mindful of individual’s circumstances and will always work with its customers to ensure an outcome that is fair and reasonable to all sides.”

St Albans MP Anne Main, who has been supporting Mr Jordon, said: “This is money the residents can not afford.

“This couple have had to put their wedding on hold.

“The communication has bee poor on the council’s behalf and the tenants have been given conflicting information and have had to chase the council about it.

“It’s an extremely worrying amount of money for the residents.”

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