RESIDENTS are furious at being charged £40,000 by their council to fix what they claim are “hellhole and bedbug-infested” flats.
Five tower blocks in Margate and Ramsgate are facing a nightmare scenario after residents are being asked to fork out an eye-watering bill of up to £40,000 for essential refurbishments.
The shocking costs will only apply to the few unfortunate tenants who buy or leasehold the flats.
The total cost to overhaul Invicta House, Harbour Towers, Kennedy House, Staner Court, and Trove Court has rocketed to an astounding £40 million.
Despite council assurances, many residents feel abandoned in what they describe as a ‘hellhole.’
The majority of the 403 flats are social housing, but 32 are owned outright by leaseholders, who now face being asked to shell out between £25,000 and £40,000 each.
Thanet District Council (TDC) insists these contributions are vital for the Tower Block Refurbishment and Retrofit Programme.
This aims to improve energy efficiency and safety, following new regulations post-Grenfell.
Initially estimated at £19.9 million, the cost has more than doubled due to inflation and the decision to use a pricier external wall system for better fire safety and durability.
While council funds and government grants will cover most costs, leaseholders are still left with massive bills.
Michael Moynihan, a 67-year-old resident of Invicta House for 36 years, feels the council has “done nothing”.
He told Kent Online: “The council has done nothing with this place. They promise new lifts, new doors, but the main issue is the bedbug situation – the whole block is full of them.
“I’ve thrown my clothes out. I’ve thrown my laundry out.”
A mattress wrapped in plastic sits in his entryway, a testament to the ongoing infestation.
He added: “That money should be spent on getting the infestation out and reimbursing us.”
His friend, Hugh McGuinness, a council tenant on Dane Valley Road, agrees, he said: “If this was a new-build, it would be spotless. Start with the interior, never mind the exterior.”
At a recent council meeting, an officer defended the costs, explaining the necessity of health and safety upgrades, including the replacement of external wall insulation.
The officer said: “These works are non-negotiable, and we would not gain approval from the building safety regulator without addressing these issues.”
Despite these assurances, residents are furious.
Grace Palmer, a mum in Staner Court, describes living conditions as a “social experiment” due to hr experience with ongoing violence, noise, and anti-social behaviour.
She said: “The fire alarm has gone off five times in a few months, and we’re constantly disturbed by fights and barking dogs.”
A TDC spokesperson defended the charges, noting that leaseholders sign agreements to contribute financially towards the upkeep of their property.
They said: “As a council, we have a legal duty to charge a leaseholder for their apportionment of works to the block.
“If we do not charge, the cost would otherwise be funded by tenants’ rents.”
The £40 million project will be partially funded by TDC’s Housing Revenue Account (£11.7 million).
Of this, £24.3 million will come from the government’s Building Safety Fund and £4.25 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Homes England will also reimburse the cost of external wall insulation, though the final sum is yet to be confirmed.
While the council argues that the refurbishments will increase property value and energy efficiency, residents remain sceptical.
A spokesperson from Thanet District Council said: “We are committed to providing safe homes for our council tenants.
“As such, essential work is being carried out at five of the council’s tower blocks to improve fire safety, insulation and energy efficiency and to reduce costs for both tenants and leaseholders.
“The cost of this work for the 374 council tenants will be contained within their rent.
“Only 32 residents in the blocks will contribute through leaseholder charges, and 14 of those are landlords, who share in the responsibility to keep tenants safe.
“The cost of this programme is supported by a total of £28.56m in government grants which have substantially reduced the costs for leaseholders.
“When a person buys a leasehold property they sign a lease. The lease tells them what they need to contribute financially towards the upkeep of their property and block.
“This includes contributions towards cyclical works or repairs, which can be either planned or responsive.
“Our Tenant and Leaseholder Group has been consulted for years on these plans, involving residents in the colour and material choices for their blocks, and discussion of potential costs throughout.
“Our High Rise Tenant and Leaseholder Group has also been wholly involved.”
However, with some residents claiming to be battling infestations and deteriorating living conditions, the £40,000 bill may feel like an insult added to injury.
Repairs and Maintenance Responsibilities
Your Responsibilities:
– Fixing items like curtain or shower rails.
– Replacing lost keys.
– Repairing any damage caused by you or your visitors.
Council’s Responsibilities:
– Maintaining the structure of your property (walls, ceiling, roof, windows).
– Ensuring gas and electricity appliances are safe.
– Upkeeping shared areas of buildings or housing estates.
The council must follow a published policy detailing repair timescales and provide several weeks’ notice for any required work.
Requesting Repairs
– You can request repairs for urgent problems in your council property.
Major Works and Temporary Relocation
– If major works are needed, the council must find you temporary accommodation and cover the costs.
– You may receive compensation for moving expenses and inconvenience.
Damage from Council Works
– The council should repair any damage caused by their maintenance or building work.
– You might be eligible for a rent reduction if repairs cause significant disruption.
Home Improvements
Introductory Tenants: Generally limited to minor improvements (e.g., redecorating inside).
– Secure Tenants can carry out more extensive improvements, such as:
– Installing a new bathroom or kitchen.
– Building an extension.
– Erecting a garden shed or greenhouse.
– Installing a new gas fire or fireplace.
– Adding cavity wall insulation.
– Redecorating the exterior of the property.
– Fitting an aerial or satellite dish.
Permission:You may need written permission from the council for certain improvements. Always check with your council if unsure.
For any queries or more detailed guidance, contact your local council.
As Margate and Ramsgate’s tower blocks face a costly transformation, the council’s promise of a better future seems overshadowed by immediate issues and financial burdens.
Meanwhile, hidden costs aren’t the only caveat flat buyers need to watch out for.
Just weeks after moving in, the healthcare worker fears she will have to move out of the area to find somewhere else to live.
Elsewhere, a man whose flat has been plagued with rats has revealed he can hear them while he’s watching TV as the pests continue to run riot.
