Shepherds Row leaseholders raise Aster repair concerns

The row covers proposed roof and chimney work costing £145,000, rising service charges, estate maintenance and replacing communal facilities.

Shaban Afzal, who is representing residents before the Housing Ombudsman, said the concerns stretch beyond one project and point to long-running problems.

Among the main concerns are proposed roof and chimney works, which residents claim could leave households facing bills of more than £12,000 each.

An Aster property affected on Shepherds Row (Image: Shaban Afzal)

Mr Afzal said the Section 20 consultation may have been breached because some residents got documents days or weeks later than others but faced the same deadline.

He said: "All of us received the Section 20s at different times, so there is a practical flaw there. I think they are trying to push on with the works even though there is an ongoing investigation."

Residents question the need for the work, saying they have not been given survey reports, inspection notes, photos or engineering assessments to justify it.

Mr Afzal said residents' own photo surveys found no obvious major damage to roofs or chimneys at several blocks.

Residents also question the project's cost, including an administration fee of about £21,750 they say has not been explained.

Residents question whether building insurance should cover any defects instead of charging leaseholders directly.

Mr Afzal also raised concerns about scaffolding put up at nearby blocks in 2026.

He said: "Across the road from my block, scaffolding was erected on April 15, 2026, and taken down on June 17, 2026.

"Every resident noticed no work was carried out. No one ever went up the scaffolding to do anything.

"So why should residents pay for that?"

He added that scaffolding was put up at another block between April and May, but residents allegedly got no information about why.

Residents also question a proposed Section 20 consultation on automatic doors, CCTV and entry systems.

Mr Afzal said: "When Aster unnecessarily changed doors just recently, a few years ago, then why this new plot to extract further money from us when it's clearly non-essential maintenance?

"No further work is required on the doors."

Residents also allege "ghost jobs", unexplained service charge rises and charges for services they say do not exist, alongside poor cleaning, overgrown communal areas, access problems and fire safety concerns.

Statistics on the electricity rise. (Image: Shaban Afzal)

Residents are seeking refunds for charges they believe were wrong.

An Aster spokesperson said: "Essential work has been identified for the building, including roof repairs, external decoration and door improvements.

"It is intended to keep customers' homes safe, well maintained and in good condition.

"We understand the cost of essential work can be worrying and encourage customers with concerns to contact us directly.

"Before work starts, we follow the statutory Section 20 consultation process, giving affected leaseholders details of the proposed work, estimated costs and a chance to ask questions or comment.

"We consider all comments received during the process.

"The consultation has ended, and work is due to start this week.

"We will keep residents informed throughout the project."

The Housing Ombudsman said its Casework and Assessment Team was considering the complaint.