A HOUSING association has been accused of “exploiting” leaseholders by forcing them to pay a “ridiculous” amount of money for an intercom door system.

Broomleigh Housing Association has ordered the leaseholders in its 54 flats in Tylney Road to each pay around £2,600 for a new door entry system.

Ann Collins lives in a block of six flats, and has been told it will cost £13,059 for the whole block, and that she will have to pay £2,615 towards the fee.

But her brother Martin Hopkins has got a quote from another contractor, The Entryphone Company Limited, which says it could install a system for just £1,824 for the entire block of flats.

Ms Collins, aged 47, who lives with her two sons, said: “For them to ask for this amount of money for something I haven’t asked for is ridiculous.”

Marjorie Sinclair, aged 90, who has lived in Tylney Road for 60 years says she feels Broomleigh is “exploiting” its leaseholders.

Broomleigh has asked her to pay £2,615 for the system, which she says she “does not want and did not ask for”.

Mr Hopkins has written to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) on behalf of 14 of the leaseholders to complain about the amount Broomleigh is charging for the intercom.

The independent body, which arbitrates on disputes between leaseholders and landlords, could reduce the amount Broomleigh can charge, and has set up a preliminary hearing on March 8.

Mr Hopkins, aged 48, who works in the building industry, said: “What I see is just gross incompetence.

“Broomleigh is asking for a ridiculous amount of money for something which could be done much cheaper.”

Broomleigh says Tylney Road leaseholders have asked for the intercom system, but Jody Hollands says this is not true.

The 34-year-old, who has lived in the flats for four years, said: “We don’t know anyone here who has asked for this.

“Broomleigh already charges us an £89 a month maintenance charge, but they just keep asking for more money.”

Broomleigh's response:

Brian Eaton, head of leasehold services for Affinity Sutton, which is Broomleigh’s parent company, said: [We] put forward quotes from four different companies and also invited leaseholders to nominate their own contractors within the first stage of the consultation which had a 30 day time period.

"It is important to note that no suggestions were received during this time."

He added: “We would like to stress that the charges will vary depending on the number of flats in each block and the level of work involved.

“We do not make any profit from these charges and they are purely a reflection of the estimated cost involved.

“If any of our residents are having difficulties making these payments we would encourage them to contact us to discuss repayments.”

A Broomleigh spokeswoman added: “We are confident we have consulted with all residents and that the new intercom system represents best value.

“[It] will provide increased security and a better quality environment for all residents living in Tylney Road for the next 20 years.

“We have a clear specification for the works, have tendered it, and this process has been overseen.”

The £34,385 paint job

Two-and-a-half years ago Broomleigh told leaseholders in Ms Collins block of six flats they would each have to pay for the outside of the building to be repainted, at a total cost of £34,385.

Ms Collins was ordered to pay £6,487 towards this fee, but Mr Hopkins contacted the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) to challenge the price Broomleigh had placed on the repaint job.

The LVT found Broomleigh had over-estimated the price, and ruled the cost of repainting the building should be set at £18,963, and that Ms Collins should pay £3,080.

Ms Collins says the repainting of the building was only finished three months ago.