A local councillor has slammed estate management companies for the “iniquitous and mind-boggling” charges faced by residents in Great Denham.
Cllr Jim Weir, (Conservative, Great Denham) has long been campaigning for the reduction of management fees on behalf of his residents.
“Some of my residents in Great Denham have recently received the budget for the seven courtyards (parking areas) in this scheme,” said Cllr Weir.
“The only responsibility this management company [Alexander Faulkener Partnership (AFP) based in Weston-Super-Mare] have is for the seven lamp posts situated throughout these areas for which residents are charged £8,800 per annum.
“The fact that the actual costs of electricity and maintenance is well over the top at £2,240 pales into insignificance when you look at the overhead and management fee charge of £6,650 – a whacking 75%.”
Seeking guidance from one of Bedford Borough Council’s lighting engineers, Cllr Weir calculates that it would cost around £160 per annum per light.
“So, at the top end £160 per annum – if you take heightened electricity costs – that’s someway short of the £1,257.14 per light being proposed by this organisation.”
In a statement to the Bedford Independent, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “Councillor Weir will be sending me details, when he does I will investigate further.
“I have always been clear that developers should properly transfer with a commuted sum, rather than leave this as a commercial matter for residents.”
When the Bedford Independent contacted Alexander Faulkener Partnership for a comment, we were told: “We would welcome the opportunity to work with the local authority to see the adoption of the street lights and remove all costs from the owners through their estate charge.”
However, these assets are not owned by AFP, they are the property of the developers, Bovis.
A response to our enquiry from Bovis said: “The development was handed over to a management agent in 2014/2015 and so we have had no involvement with this budget or fees.”
Cllr Weir said: “I would like the Mayor to lobby with me to have the Borough’s voice heard in its opposition to this out-of-control device that has been created by developers.
“We have a Trading Standards team who should be looking to see if these issues can be challenged as uncompetitive and unfair. The time is now well overdue to take the lid of this shameful exploitation.
“Remember it’s not just Great Denham, this is happening at many other developments in the Borough.”
Cllr Weir is keen to build up a local picture of the situation, so if you have a comment on management fees in your community, please email jim.weir@bedford.gov.uk
