MP to look into Wrekin Housing Trust maintenance charges
The Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, has agreed to look into allegations of “very high” maintenance charges levied by Wrekin Housing Trust on property owners.
He has contacted the Trust for an answer to claims about excessive fees for minor repairs after the media spotlight was shone on the housing trust after it sent out an invoice for £341.50 to change two light bulbs.
A story in the Shropshire media last week received a high number of online comments about the shocking charges.
Property owner Elaine Adams had complained to the housing authority after it charged £5,533.10 for 29 minor repairs at two blocks of three storey flats in Delbury Court.
After her complaints, the light bulb charge was cut by £188.50 to £153.
Mr Pritchard was made aware of the story online and high number of public comments by Mrs Adams, a Telford businesswoman.
“I have written to the Trust to ask for an explanation for what seem to be very high charges and I will get back to you when I receive a reply,” the MP said in a letter.
Mrs Adams said: “I am very grateful to our MP for looking into these charges as there seem to be a lot of people who are similarly angry about exorbitant fees and high administrative charges levied on leaseholders for what look like very minor repairs.”
Other charges levied on the Delbury Court flat owners for 2013 to 2014 include £583.88 to repair a gutter; £1,014.25 to dig up tiles and put down tarmac over a small area; two charges of £49.69 to repair two drainpipes and two charges of £922 each to fit anti fire strips into communal flat doors.
Mrs Adams is campaigning for the Trust to charge competitive market rates for any repairs or to allow home owners to join together to employ a reputable smaller contractor for minor repairs.
