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Ben Godfrey reported from Digbeth that leaseholders at a luxury apartment complex are feeling uneasy after being hit with a historical electricity bill exceeding £200,000. The managing company, Centrick, informed residents at Latitude Apartments in Birmingham about an unpaid British Gas bill from 2014 that needs to be settled by current occupants. Some residents have agreed to pay, while others are holding out for more proof regarding the debt.
Mary Wilkie, a tenant at the complex for a decade, expressed her concerns over the lack of consultation, legal documentation, and an official invoice provided to leaseholders. She refused to participate in a monthly repayment plan without clear details, stating that their management service charges would see a substantial increase of about 70% due to this issue. Wilkie highlighted that many residents felt intimidated and had already made payments, but she emphasized the importance of evidence before settling the bill.
Completed in 2009 at a cost of approximately £34m, Latitude Apartments consists of over 170 premium units. The building’s management has changed hands multiple times following the closure of original managers SDL Bigwood in 2022. The most recent management company, Pannycuick Collins, identified an outstanding bill of £214,000 with British Gas, but declined to comment on the matter. Centrick, which took control of Latitude in April, reassured residents that they are working in good faith to resolve the issue by engaging with British Gas for additional information.
Concerned leaseholders like May, who has owned a property at Latitude for five years, expressed frustration over the lack of collective consultation on the repayment demands. She anticipated her service charges to nearly double from £600 to £1,260, emphasizing the feeling of unjust money extraction from residents. British Gas confirmed engagement with the managing agent regarding unpaid bills dating back to 2020, despite Centrick’s newsletter stating debts from 2014. Residents, including Wilkie, criticized the management companies for their handling of the situation over the past nine years and indicated a willingness to seek legal counsel to dispute the charges
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