Residents of a “slum” flat complex in Swindon are being hit with a whopping £2k service charge, which has doubled over the years.
The Heritage Plaza block dwellers have seen their maintenance costs skyrocket by over £1,000 in just seven years.
The Nationwide Pension Fund took over the freehold and appointed RMG to manage the building in 2017, but according to the flat owners, this has only worsened the situation. Resident Jonathan Sheldrake revealed that his bills have shot up from £1,069 in 2017 to a staggering £2,120 in 2024.
READ MORE: Guide to surviving World War 3 as Indian Nostradamus claims it’s just 24 hours away
Click here for the latest news and updates on Russian plans for space domination.
In 2023, he was paying £1,772, but in April this year, he was informed of another “crippling” £400 increase. He described the living conditions in the building as nearing ‘slum-like’, with worn-out carpets and communal areas left in disarray.
(Image: Swindon Advertiser / SWNS)
The rubbish storage area is perpetually overflowing, attracting swarms of flies, and the security systems are either damaged or broken, it is claimed.
Many residents are puzzled about where their hefty payments are going, but RMG attributes it to rising electricity costs and insurance premiums.
Jonathan stated: “No-one has a problem with paying a service charge if you get reasonable service in return but this is an extortionate increase and the estate is in decline.
(Image: Swindon Advertiser / SWNS)
“We used to have a decent, local maintenance company that kept this place safe and clean.
“Then Nationwide purchased the freehold and got a good deal with RMG, but it was a terrible one for the people who live here. They don’t take responsibility or listen to us and just do what they like.”
He said it is in “danger of turning into a slum.”
Boxes and bags of rubbish are left out in the open due to a lack of adequate services, Jonathan claimed, but RMG said they’ve had ‘few complaints’.
(Image: Swindon Advertiser / SWNS)
Legally leaseholders do have the right to ask for paperwork or receipts showing where the service charge has been spent.
RMG operations director Clare Corbett said: “
“RMG does not benefit from the service charges that are collected from residents.”
She added that carpet replacements “is a focus for 2024/2025.”
Nationwide Pension Fund, the building owners, states that only a trio of grumbles were made to RMG during the last three years.
To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.