Leaseholder Describes “Mentally Exhausting” Experience Following Significant Service Charge Hike

A leaseholder, whose service charge increased by approximately £2,000 in just two years, asserts that the building remains unsafe and describes his experience as “mentally exhausting.” Abrahan Marquez, 37, resides in Bloomsbury House, Northampton, where his maintenance fees have escalated from about £1,300 to £3,300 since he purchased the flat in 2022. He reported that the Grade II listed apartments are experiencing security issues, with rough sleepers gaining entry. Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), the managing agent for Bloomsbury House, stated that any increase in service charge reflects the actual cost of service delivery and confirmed that a security patrol has been implemented without additional cost to leaseholders. Mr. Marquez is one of many leaseholders in the region who have contacted the BBC regarding rising service charges across the country. A leasehold is a property contract type that grants the owner the right to occupy a property, typically a flat, for a fixed duration. Under this arrangement, leaseholders are often required to pay ground rent and maintenance charges to freeholders, who own the buildings and the land beneath them. Mr. Marquez commented that his experience since moving in had “been quite difficult.” “The building is not safe… cars are being vandalised,” he stated. He added, “This is mentally exhausting.” He expressed feeling that he received “nothing special” for the amount he pays in service charges. Max Curtis, director at MTVH, remarked: “I do have a sympathy of anyone experiencing bills of this amount and I hope what we can do is provide clarity and simplicity wherever possible and it sounds like in this case this hasn’t been our resident’s experience and of course we regret that.” Approximately 120 miles (193km) away in Norwich, Mike Sarre, 73, and his co-residents in a “leasehold scheme for the elderly” are awaiting refunds for errors in their historical service charges. In August, the leaseholders received an apology letter from the management company Places for People concerning a “service failure.” However, Mr. Sarre noted that all deadlines set for resolution have been missed. “They just seem to be ignoring it altogether,” he said. Places for People responded: “We have always been open about our commitment to refunding these monies and have been in regular contact with customers about this. “We are confident this will be put right soon and we apologise for the delay.” Residents of The Heights in Bedford previously spoke to the BBC about their service charges, which had risen to £3,800 per year amidst allegations of a “severe lack of service.” This summer, following a lengthy process, leaseholders gained control of the building through the right to manage and have appointed their own company to manage the property. Kyle Haines, from that company, The Shires, indicated that bringing the building up to standard would cost hundreds of thousands. He stated, “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a challenge, but I do enjoy a challenge.” He continued, “It’s a shame it’s fallen into a state of disrepair but it’s our mission to turn it around.” Resident Yashpal Jassal observed that the flats already appear improved and claimed that “spirits are high” since the residents took control. He commented, “It certainly [makes us feel proud] to be living where we are compared to where we were several months ago.” The director of the former management company asserted that The Heights was “never left in a state of disrepair” but expressed being “glad” that the residents had taken over and wished them success for the future.