Following intervention from the Maida Vale Labour Councillors, Westminster Council has admitted making a mistake when issuing service charge demands to leaseholders at four blocks on the Maida Vale estate. The total amount over-charged was £141,437 across 116 properties – an average of £1,219 for each flat.

The councillors challenged the annual bills which had risen by over 80% to a massive £3,200 for a typical flat. Costs for cleaning and grounds maintenance had tripled over the previous year.  Many leaseholders have been worried about how they would pay the charges at the same time as other bills are going up so fast.

In response to the Maida Vale councillors, Westminster Housing Department has admitted making “a charging error for the following service charge categories; block cleaning, co-op repairs, grounds maintenance and window cleaning.”

As a result, all leaseholders in Thurso, Atholl, Braemer and Dundee Houses have been sent revised bills with annual charges, on average, £1,219 lower than before.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough said:

“Leaseholders will be very relieved to get the new, lower bills but we are worried that Westminster’s systems generated these mistakes in the first place. If your service charges rise unexpectedly, challenge them. Don’t suffer in silence.”

Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis said:

“I don’t think Westminster Council realises the distress these bills caused. People are struggling with inflation on all sides at the moment and the last thing they need is mistakes like this.”

Promoted by Connor Jones on behalf the Maida Vale Ward Labour Candidates, all at 4g Shirland Mews, W9 3DY