AN MP has inspected "sub- standard" works at the centre of a dispute between residents and Broomleigh Housing Association.

Jacqui Lait, MP for Beckenham, spent a morning examining works carried out at Queen Adelaide Court, Queen Adelaide Road, Penge.

Leaseholders there have received bills from estate freeholder Broomleigh for nearly £10,000 for refurbishment and repairs to the blocks.

They say they are being overcharged for unnecessary and poor work and are awaiting a Lands Tribunal ruling on the legality of the work which Broomleigh claims is necessary.

Resident John Paterson has set up the London Leaseholders' Network to help combat problems experienced by many who took advantage of right-to-buy schemes and now face huge repair bills.

He said: "It's a problem across London but we're grateful to Mrs Lait for taking the time to come and see our situation.

"We're being charged high prices for work which is not being done to the appropriate level and some of which isn't necessary.

"It has put in new lifts which keep breaking down and Broomleigh is now giving us bills for repairing them."

Housing charity Shelter last week warned some people face ruin because of unexpected bills for work on estates which have been neglected for years.

Reg Adams, 72, faces a Broomleigh bill of up to £17,000 for work on the building housing his flat on The Alders Estate, West Wickham, He said: "The amount is almost exactly what I have in my bank account after years of saving. We've taken out a loan to cover the cost."

A Broomleigh spokesman said: "A Leasehold Valuation Tribunal found Broomleigh's costs and standards of work at Queen Adelaide Court to be reasonable.

"A resident appealed against this decision which was turned down. The same resident has now sought leave to appeal to the Land Tribunal and we await the outcome."