Brent residents face £450k bill after 17-day heating cut

Residents of Middle Yard in Dollis Hill have had their heating and hot water restored after a 17-day outage, but now face the prospect of significant bills for historic energy debts. The gas supply to the block was cut off due to unpaid bills totalling approximately £600,000 for gas and electricity, affecting at least 126 homes.

From October 23, residents had to rely on outdoor shower units and electric heaters provided by the developer, Union Developments, and its building management firm, Rendall & Rittner. The freeholder and its management firm stated that around £300,000 was owed to energy provider Pozitive Energy for gas and a further £300,000 for electricity.

High Court intervention and future billing fears

The gas supply was reinstated following a High Court order. However, Middle Yard residents have been informed that the historic debts may be added to future service charge bills. Resident Lucy Baxter described the situation as stressful, noting that her basement flat was freezing and that information about potential charges was being slowly released.

Of the £300,000 gas debt, £150,000 is understood to have been paid as part of the court proceedings, with the remaining £150,000 potentially falling to leaseholders. Uncertainty remains regarding the £300,000 electricity debt, leaving residents with the fear of a substantial collective bill. Residents pay individual meters and believe they have met their own usage costs.

The building has seen frequent changes in management companies, with Rendall & Rittner only taking over in May and scheduled to hand over to a new firm in December. This would be the sixth management company since residents began moving in during 2022. The reasons for the debt accumulating remain unclear, with residents paying for their own usage via a company called mySycous.

Kaniz Gatt, a resident since 2022, reported multiple heating failures in the past and expressed a feeling of powerlessness. She highlighted the importance of heating as a basic necessity, especially given her osteoarthritis and upcoming surgery. She stated that she recently received correspondence indicating that leaseholders would cover the remaining £150,000 of the gas bill.

Calls for accountability and legislative review

Councillor Mary Mitchell, Leader of Brent's Green Party, has been supporting the residents and stated that they will seek compensation, transparency, and accountability. She also plans to call for a government review of leaseholder legislation to protect residents from such failures. Councillor Saqlain Choudry, Labour Councillor for Willesden Green Ward, also intervened to press for the gas to be reconnected.

A spokesperson for Rendall & Rittner confirmed that heating and hot water services were restored on November 9. The company is reviewing draft service charge accounts from periods before their appointment and will share them with leaseholders once finalised. Union Developments expressed regret for the residents' distress and confirmed they are in the process of changing energy suppliers and managing agents.