Anger over bill for unfinished housing estate
BBCLocal councillors and residents have accused housing developers of "ripping off home owners" over unfinished work on a housing estate.
People living at Abbey Farm in North Swindon have said they fear flood management, play park safety and landscaping work costing nearly £200,000 will be transferred to their bills unless developers Redrow and Vistry take responsibility.
The Home Owners Alliance said as more news homes are built, disputes with house builders are becoming increasingly common and "there's a lack of redress and enforcement for new homeowners".
Redrow and Vistry said: "We remain committed to completing our obligations and securing the necessary approvals".
Joe Tomkinson moved to Abbey Farm in 2017, saying "we bought on a promise of living on a premium estate".
Many new estates are privately owned and residents pay management fees on top of council tax to maintain things like communal spaces, roads and pavements. When a development is finished, any maintenance costs are transferred to a management company to collect fees.
Tomkinson added: "We accepted we were going to have pay on top of council tax.. but to let them [developers] ride off into the sunset with their savings while residents pick up the bill, this isn't what we were promised."
He said critical flood management has not been completed, adding "this is the ultimate cautionary tale" for anyone buying a new home.
Swindon councillor Kate Tomlinson accused the developers of refusing to meet with councillors to discuss the dispute at the 350-home estate.
"We've had an awful response. The fact that they're not willing to engage suggests they know they're in the wrong," she said.
Tomlinson said she was concerned residents will be liable to pay for any outstanding work through increased fees if its not completed before a management transfer.
Thousands of new homes are being planned for Swindon and Wiltshire as councils try to meet increased Government house building targets.
"What is the point of delivering new homes that then residents are left completely out of pocket on years later?" added Tomlinson.
Paula Higgins, CEO of Home Owners Alliance said disputes over the quality of estates is "becoming more of an issue for more people".
"Sadly there isn't a mechanism for them if they aren't happy with situation they're in."
Higgins said new legislation is needed to give residents more powers to take on management companies.
A spokesperson for Vistry said: "The outstanding issues relate principally to the approval of open space and landscaping works, which are currently being reviewed through the appropriate processes."
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