Bracknell Leaseholders Face Costly Roofing Charges

Leaseholders in Bracknell are being urged to act after housing association Abri applied to pass the costs of roofing and redecoration works on to residents.

Abri became one of the biggest landlords in Bracknell after merging with Silva Homes in October 2023, and has applied to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to push the bills onto leaseholders. The issue stems from claims Silva Homes did not properly consult residents; contributions are usually capped at £250, but that cap could be removed if Abri succeeds.

Leaseholders who want to object must send a 'reply form for leaseholders' and a 'statement objecting to the landlord's application for dispensation' to RPEastern@justice.gov.uk by the deadline on Monday, August 17. The forms are on Abri's site under the "additional details about this application" tab at https://www.abri.co.uk/redecoration and https://www.abri.co.uk/roofing.

A group of leaseholders is organising on the "Abri Section 20ZA Dispensation Application - Leaseholders Group" Facebook page, which is asking administrators to approve access and seeking an extension to the objections deadline.

"The Facebook group was created to spread awareness and give residents a place to share information, as many of us remain unclear about how we are affected by Abri's application to the First-tier Tribunal.

"The paperwork refers to invoices for 'various properties' without specifying which properties are affected, making it difficult to understand what costs could apply to us or what objections we should be raising.

"Abri's lack of transparency and clear communication throughout the process has caused significant and, in many cases, unnecessary stress and uncertainty for hundreds of residents who simply want to understand how this could affect them financially."

The matter has been referred to Peter Swallow, the Labour MP for Bracknell, and to Bracknell Forest Council, with leaseholders urging them to push for a deadline extension.

Mr Swallow said: "I am concerned about Abri's decision to refer itself to tribunal over historic works payments. While this provides an opportunity for residents to make representations, I do not think communication with residents has been clear and timely. I am glad that one extension to the deadline for resident submissions has already been provided.

"When I first heard about this issue, I wrote to Abri to seek clarification and found their reply to be complex and slow. I hope that as the tribunal proceeds, Abri reflects on how they communicate with residents, as many have, rightly, become concerned at the sudden prospect of paying for works which may have taken place many years ago.

"My team are currently working with Sasha to raise her specific concerns with Abri, and I have requested an urgent meeting with them to put residents' concerns directly.

"I will continue to communicate directly with residents who are Abri leaseholders to make sure that they are aware of their rights at tribunal."

Mike Burnell, Group Homeowners Services Manager at Abri, said: "We are working hard to resolve issues relating to some legacy legal agreements that Abri inherited from Silva, which will be considered by the First-tier Tribunal.

"We have contacted all impacted customers with information about this and how to share any observations or concerns.

"Affected customers can also attend the tribunal hearing, and we will communicate the outcome and any next steps as soon as we are able."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter