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The article describes a situation involving residents and leaseholders of two blocks of flats—Beech Rise and Willow Rise in Kirkby, Merseyside—who have been made homeless due to serious fire safety concerns. Since being forced to leave in July, the 160 flat owners face a collective £3.6 million bill (approximately £10,000 each) for repairs, maintenance, and service charges, despite being unable to live in the buildings.
Key points include:
– **Background**: The flats were originally former council blocks refurbished into “luxury living” apartments in 2006 by developer LPC Living. Flats sold for up to £100,000 each.
– **Issues and Problems**: Over about 14 years, owners spent considerable sums fixing continual problems such as damp, mould, faulty electrics caused by water damage, and broken lifts. These issues were severe enough that one tenant, seriously ill, had to sleep in his car due to inability to access his flat.
– **Fire Safety Closure**: The buildings were ordered closed by the fire service in July due to fire safety failures, leaving residents homeless.
– **Financial and Leasehold Troubles**: Despite displacement, leaseholders are liable for substantial repair and maintenance costs due to the terms of their leases, which put responsibility for nearly all repairs, including communal areas and structural elements, on flat owners. The residents feel unfairly burdened and “trapped” by contracts favoring the landlords and management companies.
– **Management Company and Landlord**: The buildings operate on a “tripartite” lease structure with flat owners, a residents’ management company (Parklands (Kirkby) Management Company Ltd), and the landlord or head lessor above them. The landlord attributes financial difficulties to accrued debts by the management company and is considering legal action.
– **Residents’ Perspective**: Owners like Michael Jones and Dave Hemmings express frustration at repeated costs, lack of landlord responsibility, and financial hardship. Mr. Jones describes the leases as favoring wealthy landlords at the expense of leaseholders.
– **Current Efforts**: Some physical maintenance, such as securing the blocks with window grills, has been ongoing, but the residents’ future and financial liability remain uncertain.
If you want, I can provide more details, summarize key legal/leasehold issues involved, or suggest relevant advice or next steps for the affected residents
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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