Housing trust charges £170 to change a light bulb

And to change two 70 watt light bulbs, the cost doubles to £341.50.

That was the bill given to property owners at a Telford block of flats after repairs were carried out to flickering lights by workmen from Wrekin Housing Trust.

Elaine Adams, who leases one of the six flats in the three storey block in Delbury Court, Hollinswood, said she was “flabbergasted” by the “atrocious” fee.

“This is just another example of the serious overcharging by Wrekin Housing Trust, which owns the freehold to blocks of flats across the county,” she said.

“They carry out a constant stream of repairs some of which are vastly overpriced which keeps their workforce busy and then charge property owners these high fees.

“I appreciate that repairs have to be carried out to maintain the exterior of the flats and the internal stairway areas to keep them looking good but the Trust appears to charge some very high prices for what should be minor repairs.”

Mrs Adams, who already pays £840 a year to the Trust in maintenance charges, has received an extra bill totalling £833.24 for work carried out between 2013 to 2014.

From 2013 to 2014, the Trust charged £5,533.10 for 29 repairs at two blocks of three storey flats in Delbury Court. None were major works, according to Wrekin Housing Trust.

“I have been questioning the charges since October last year and just last week they have now reduced the light bulb charges by £188.50 to £153 so their new fee is now £76.50 to change a single light bulb.”

Other charges levied on the flat owners include £583.88 to repair a gutter; £1,014.25 to dig up tiles and put down tarmac over a small area; £49.69 to repair a small hole in a drainpipe and two charges of £922 each to fit anti fire strips into communal flat doors.

Former fire officer Vernon Plim said:

“There is no possible justification to fit intumescent fire seals and fire rated hinges to the final exit doors of these flats. It is a complete and utter waste of money that makes no contribution towards the fire safety of the occupants."

Mrs Adams added:

“Each time I question the Trust they claim they must carry out the repairs immediately due to health and safety which is ridiculous. It is health and safety gone mad from an over zealous authority which gives us no opportunity to object to these exorbitant charges.”

She also claims that when she asked why it should cost more than £500 to repair a gutter, she was told that scaffolding had to be erected to the block of flats.

“A reputable contractor charges half that for a cherry picker and a man to repair the gutter for half a day. He could have done the work at half the cost. They are throwing our money away and there is nothing we can do about it,” she added.