RESIDENTS of a housing association are “up in arms” after it has been revealed service charges are being hiked by as much as £240 a year.

A letter sent out to Aster tenants details price rises for a number of services such as tree works, grounds maintenance and management fees, but the statement also caused confusion as all the services and costs were repeated twice on the form.

A copy of one the letters has been seen by the Advertiser, provided by Aster resident Barbara Carpenter.

Service charge statements are tailored to individual tenants and their properties however Mrs Carpenter claims many of her neighbours in the Tiberius Road area are facing increases.

Aster has since admitted the total rise was incorrect and instead of charging Mrs Carpenter an extra £11.08 a week as stated in the letter, it should read £5.54.

An Aster spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we have noticed a one-off mistake for which we apologise, in the table Mrs Carpenter received which means that the amount her service charge will rise by for the next financial year is half that of what is shown.

“We do understand that any increase in monthly outgoings can be a struggle for some of our customers and is why it’s so important that our customers contact us first to discuss any queries they may have.”

Mrs Carpenter however said the landlord “just doesn’t listen”.

The Tiberius Road resident, said: “I feel absolutely terrible, I’ll be able to manage but that is only because my husband gets extra money.

“If we were on a normal pension there’s no way we could afford it.

“My neighbour can’t for instance.

“If we had work done it would be different, if you see the state of the trees it’s absolutely unbelievable.”

For the resident, tree work costs will be increased to £5.92 a week, from no payment at all, as well as management fees rising by 95p, although other services, such as enhanced housing management, are being reduced.

Bulk clearance costs is also being reduced by 58p.

Andover Liberal Democrats chair Luigi Gregori said: “Housing association tenants often get a bad deal. Aster sending out the wrong financial statement caused distress to many people.

“That the actual bill is an increase of 50 per cent rather than 100 per cent is little consolation.

“Residents have pointed out that some charges refer to services never provided.

“Help us demand better for our community. The sooner our council builds and runs social housing the better.”