High-rise block has been 'left to rot' say angry residents

Heater a 'potential risk of fire'

- By DANIEL ESSON Local democracy reporter

FLAT owners at Margate's Arlington House believe they are paying the price for the alleged failures of its freeholder, Freshwater, to keep the 18-storey high-rise in good shape.

It comes after regulators threw out the firm's official building safety certificate bid after it failed to illustrate an understanding of "the full extent of the risk of structural failure in the building", particularly "risks arising from the spread of fire".

Consequently, Freshwater has introduced a 24-hour 'waking watch' of fire wardens, costing a reported £48,000 per month - a levy residents fear will be passed on to them.

Additionally, homeowners say the firm has hiked service charges from about £2,000 a year in 2024 to £3,500 for 2025.

John Moss, former chairman of the residents' association, who has lived in the block for 22 years, said: "Everything is always left to deteriorate until it gets to the stage where it needs huge amounts of money spent on it. Freshwater are very difficult to deal with - they take a very belligerent, dictatorial manner in everything."

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, says Freshwater, which took over the lease in 1969 through subsidiary firm Metropolitan Property Realizations Ltd (MPRL), has neglected the building.

"If I'm paying that much money, this building should be prim and proper, it should be great," he said.

"But they just don't do things, and then charge extortionate fees for the privilege. It can be a beautiful building if it's well looked after. It's just been left to rot really."