The leader of Gloucester City Council has written to the chief executive of Gloucester City Homes expressing concern about a letter sent to freehold homeowners about estate service charges.
Letters have been sent freehold properties across Gloucester about proposed changes which could be implemented from April 1.
The properties were previously council houses that were bought under the Right to Buy scheme many years ago.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, who is the leader of Gloucester City Council, said he had been contacted by residents in his ward of Kingsholm expressing concerns about the proposed charges.
“This letter has come as a complete surprise to residents who are understandably concerned about these charges, and I share their frustration,” said Councillor Hilton.
“We need full transparency from Gloucester City Homes on how these costs have been calculated and why freeholders, particularly those not on GCH estates, are receiving these letters.
“I have been contacted by the owners of properties in Kingsholm who are baffled as to why they are being charged for services linked to GCH estates when their homes are not even on one.
“GCH must clarify the legal basis for these charges.
“The letter also states that homeowners will receive a further letter detailing the proposed charges – this will cause further anxiety while residents wait to find out how much they will be charged.
“Fly-tipping, rubbish removal, and estate cleaning are important services, but residents should only be charged if they are directly benefiting.
“Before these charges are imposed, GCH needs to provide clear justification. What specific services are being provided to each affected property, and how are the costs determined?
“It is unacceptable to introduce charges without full transparency and consultation.
“I would like to know exactly how many of these letters have been sent across the city and how many freeholders are affected.
“It is crucial that GCH communicates openly with residents and ensures that any charges are fair and legally sound.
“I will be engaging with GCH to ensure that residents are properly consulted and given the opportunity to raise their concerns.
“My priority is to support residents and make sure they get the answers they need regarding these proposed charges.
“At a time when many households are already struggling with the cost of living, sudden additional charges like these must be handled with care and proper communication.”
Anne Southern, Executive Director of Business Resources at GCH “GCH has sent letters to some freeholders across Gloucester, where we have identified that an estate service charge for the maintenance of nearby communal land has not been previously charged, relating to non-council land located near the properties.
Currently the costs associated with the delivery of services enjoyed by the occupants of all homes on a street or an estate, Including estate cleaning, landscaping, general maintenance, rubbish removal and management of fly-tipping, are funded solely by GCH tenants and leaseholders, in effect subsiding those services for homeowners. Our proposed approach, in line with common practice, looks at spreading the cost of services delivered across all households that benefit from them.
At this stage we have opened a consultation with affected homeowners to gather their feedback. More information and the full set of FAQs can be found at Consultation on Estate Service Charges For Freehold Properties – GCH“