Factoring charges criticism
Home owner left furious
Unhappy 191017silvers_2
An East Kilbride home owner has slammed South Lanarkshire Council over factoring charges.
Louise Silvers from Greenhills told the News she and other owneroccupiers within her block have paid for work which has not been carried out or have been overcharged.
She also said flat owners face a hefty bill of approximately £10,000 each for refurbishment work on the block.
And Louise claims that despite disputing charges for repairs, she has still been sent ‘chase’ letters by South Lanarkshire Council demanding payment.
In response, South Lanarkshire Council say all accounts are placed on hold following any queries and if enough owneroccupiers agree, they can appoint another factor.
Louise told the News: “I pay the council a quarterly factoring charge.
“However, the factoring repair bills are always wrong, some have been charged in error, some overcharged and some charging for work caused by the failure of others.
“It’s been a constant battle since I bought the property.
“Now we are faced with an upgrade bill of £10,000 plus per property, which seems to be for basically painting and refurbishing communal areas, and when I asked to see a break down of the costs I was refused.
“The council said the costs are comparable, if not more competitive, to other costs which are taken from tendered procedures.
“But in all honesty I think SLC are getting away with daylight robbery.”
The 29-year-old went on: “One of the most ridiculous charges we were faced with was for a joiner having to come out to repair a door for an electrical cupboard.
“As our factors, South Lanarkshire Council are the key holders and the only reason the door was damaged was because workmen had to break-in as SLC lost the key.
“Not only that, some of the so-called “snagging” issues are actually dangerous and are left for months.”
South Lanarkshire’s executive director of housing and technical resources Daniel Lowe said: “The factoring service provided is clearly documented.
“We routinely carry out post inspections of a range of repair works undertaken at council factored blocks in line with industry standards. All enquiries received are acknowledged and accounts placed on hold. Ensuring high quality customer care remains a key priority.”
Some of the charges are extortionate...