LEASEHOLDERS of ex-council homes across the borough are in for a nasty surprise as some will be hit with as much as £120 in extra charges following an accounting gaffe.

During a seven month-long inspection by the Audit Commission, it was found that the council had been undercharging leaseholders for seven years and now faces a shortfall in its accounts.

Redbridge Homes confirmed higher bills have now been issued to around 2,500 leaseholders – three months late - after careful examination of the way they were charged revealed some were not paying enough for the services they received.

The news went down badly on the Avenue Court estate in Claybury, where residents have been fighting their own battle against what they see as extortionate refurbishment costs, which could reach £2,000 per home.

Resident and Avenue Court Action Group (ACAG) member Jeffrey Fox, 62, said: “It's one thing on top of another, it just doesn't add up.

“We're already facing this bill, which we don't think is fair, and then we hear that we're all going to have to pay even more because they can't get their sums right. It beggars belief, to be quite honest.”

Fellow ACAG member Paul Lexton, 60, said he was disgusted with the way representatives Redbridge Homes had dealt with residents at a meeting last week, in which they hoped to get answers about why the refurbishment was so expensive.

He said: “We had a meeting with people from Redbridge Homes and we wanted it to go on as long as it needed to so that we could cover all the points.

“But as soon as we arrived we were told it would only last an hour and a half. It was impossible to direct answers to any of our questions and as soon as they were fed up talking about something they said 'let's move on' and that was that.”

A Redbridge Homes spokeswoman said: “This work is specified in the lease and we must carry out the work or we would be breaching the terms of the lease.

“The residents in Avenue Court have been fully consulted on the works being carried out. Consultation letters were sent to all residents which included estimated costs in July with no objection from residents.

“Further letters have been sent to residents to advise them of the work progression and all enquiries regarding the work have been responded to within 10 days, as per our protocol.

“Redbridge Homes has listened to concerns and provided residents with full answers including inviting all residents to an open meeting on January 13 to discuss any concerns.”