Stevenage Homes annually estimates the repair costs on our block of flats and adds this amount to the service charge.

But the actual cost of repairs usually exceeds this estimate. This year I queried several of the items listed.

I have been getting no where fast with this, no one else in the block appears to care too much about these large repair bills. Perhaps they have given up trying to do something about it.

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Suspiciously rounded figures in the landlords costs.

Stevenage Homes Limited is the landlord of The Towers. Each year they estimates the repair costs for the block and add this amount to the service charge levied to leaseholders.

Each year I ask for the breakdown and go through the list of repairs and try to spot where the work has been carried out.

This year the list includes the following:

• Supply and install fire door to electrical cupboard to provide 60 min fire rating £2,428
• Install ½ hour check service duct door £3334.11
• Renew 3x ½ hour Fire Check Doors £1177.41
• Apply one coat of stain, 1 base coat and one coat of gloss finish to 13 No doors at the above address. 12 No Refuse doors, one store door. £626

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