HOME-OWNERS in Cofton Hackett claim they are ‘being ripped off’ by having to pay annual charges of £170 on top of their council tax bills.
The frustrated East Works estate residents have been told ‘very little could be done’ about what they have branded ‘stealth taxes’ from private maintenance firm First Port.
They claim the fees, which cover upkeep of communal areas, were not properly explained when they purchased their properties and had since spiralled.
The costs are applicable when councils decide not to be responsible for new housing estates, leaving developers or private management companies responsible for maintenance.
This leaves residents liable for maintenance charges despite owning their properties’ freehold and paying council tax.
Michael Pattison, who moved in six years ago, labelled the situation a ‘scandal’ after being told the maintenance costs would be £120 on the completion of the development.
He added, despite the estate still being under construction, he had paid the charges for years.
Other residents say they were only told about the fees two weeks before moving in when their property purchase was almost complete and solicitors’ fees had been incurred.
Homeowners hoped Bromsgrove District Council could take on the area’s management so maintenance fees could be coupled with their council tax.
Michael said: “All we want is parity with other council taxpayers in Bromsgrove.
“The communal areas including a park and playground which we are paying for, are not private and can be accessed by anyone.”
Ruth Bamford, Bromsgrove District Council’s head of planning, said: “It is not possible under current planning law to force a private landowner/developer to hand over land for “adoption to the council.
“The developer is entitled to maintain and manage their land directly or indirectly.
“If we were asked by any developer to adopt their land, the council would consider the offer and agree a fee to manage the land in perpetuity.”
She added at this time the authority had not been approached by the developer in question with an offer to adopt the land and until that happened, there was little that could be done.
She said the council was willing to adopt land if offered it with appropriate ongoing maintenance funding.
A FirstPort spokesperson said: “As the appointed property manager, we are responsible for the maintenance of selected communal areas of the development, to ensure they are kept safe and in
“good condition for the residents that use them.
“When purchasing a property, buyers should be made aware of any management arrangements and subsequent charges, and we would advise buyers to seek the relevant advice from their conveyance solicitor and/or the selling party prior to purchase.”
