Bromley Council has had “no promise” that it would be refunded if it was to strip cladding from a dangerous tower block in Bromley town centre.

Residents living in Northpoint House, in Sherman Road, have been ill with stress as they campaign to have their building made safe.

The 10-storey block is filled with homes that residents say are worthless, many having been bought with life savings.

Taylor Wimpey, the developer which sold the freehold in 2007, said last month it has no responsibility or ownership for the building.

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Citistead, the current freeholder, is holding back, putting responsibility with the government.

James Brokenshire, the communities secretary, announced in November a policy meaning local authorities can carry out work and recover costs from the freeholder.

Speaking about Northpoint, Mr Brokenshire told our local democracy reporter last month: “I have repeatedly made clear that building owners and developers must replace dangerous ACM cladding and the costs must not be passed on to leaseholders.

“My message is clear – private building owners must pay for this work now or they should expect to pay more later.”

As yet, Bromley Council has not had assurances that it would happen, despite raising the matter with government.

At a full council meeting on February 25, council leader Colin Smith updated the chamber on the authority’s position.

“The council remains in a position of advanced lobbying with the minister of state and his team along with and supporting Bob Neill MP and the ward councillors,” Cllr Smith said.

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“The council has had no promise of financial assistance to take the works and be refunded in reverse.”

Leaseholders face bills upwards of £70k to make Northpoint safe – an unachievable figure for near enough all 57 flats – and the clock is ticking for the building to be brought up to scratch.

London Fire Brigade has put an enforcement notice on the building, meaning internal issues such as fire doors and the alarm system must be fixed by April or it can be condemned.

Residents have faced months in limbo over who pays for the work, and in the meantime have been patrolling the building as part of a compulsory waking watch to keep costs as low as possible.