Leaseholder rip-off condemned

11.38.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 23rd Jul 2006

Eltham South Lib Dem campaigner Mark Pattenden says that Greenwich Council may have raised thousands of pounds through overcharging on leaseholder service charges this year.

Mark reported "One council leaseholder told me that they are paying ten times more than last year for the same poor level of local environmental services, such as street cleaning and grass cutting."

These services are funded through the council tax, but leaseholders have to pay again through their service charge.

Mark condemned the council's attitude to leaseholders:

"In some cases the entire service charge is 78% higher than last year. How can the council justify this increase in the last 12 months?

"The council has admitted making administrative errors, which they claim will be corrected next year. However this means that leaseholders are effectively giving the council an interest-free loan for twelve months.

"It's clear that leaseholders are being milked in order to make up the shortfall in the council's budget."