Anger at charge for ‘death-prevention’ service

An Angus OAP has slammed plans to increase service charges for vulnerable tenants at his supported housing accommodation due to extra cleaning during the coronavirus pandemic.

The man, who did not want to be named, said the extra cleaning at Condor Court in Carnoustie, which is operated by Cairn Housing Association, was a “death-prevention service”.

He said the elderly tenants who live in the retirement complex should not suffer financial hardship to be kept safe.

The 68-year-old said: “Cairn are to provide extra cleaning during these coronavirus times – excellent, one might say, until you read they are to charge

“This extra charge will prove difficult for some tenants. ANGUS OAP

for this death-prevention service. This extra charge will prove difficult for some tenants. We pay £450 a month in rent.”

He added: “It’s scandalous that they’re charging us to protect us. I have limited mobility and underlying health issues so yes, I’m worried about coronavirus.”

The retirement complex includes flats and cottages let out to people aged 55 and over. Tenants will initially be charged an extra £3.10 a week per tenant, with additional costs carried over to the 2021-22 financial year.

A Cairn spokesman said: “To reduce the risk of infection from coronavirus to vulnerable tenants we are introducing additional cleaning to the communal areas and entrances of our sheltered and retirement housing courts.

“At Condor Court we aim to provide an additional one hour of cleaning each day Monday to Friday, with an additional two hours of cleaning on Saturdays and Sundays. Our cleaners will be focused on frequently used touch points such as door handles, banisters, grab rails and lifts.

“Affordability would be taken into account and we have the flexibility to spread these costs over the whole year, or into the following year.

“In some cases courts may have a surplus on their service charge account, or where we have reduced other services because of coronavirus (such as grounds maintenance), it may result in no increase or a reduction in service charges to tenants.”