Sarah works full-time as a school teacher, but has been forced to take up a second job to pay the spiralling bills from the management company of her building. While she was aware of the annual service charge of around 1,400, she wasn't prepared for the bills for a reserve fund which have risen steeply as the management company aims to secure an extra 400,000 from residents for a roof replacement and other projects.
Angela Tanner, who lives at Barham Park with her partner Rosemary, said: "We just don't have a lift in this block. We've asked multiple times for a refund but Notting Hill Genesis still haven't made that refund. We're paying around 200 for the non-existent lift this year. It's like banging your head against a brick wall."