Families in tears after £19k roof repairs cost

LANDLORDS AND OWNERS SAY THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT COST OF WORK

- NICK HORNER News Reporter

FURIOUS families say they have been left with huge unexpected bills for repairs to their homes.

Birmingham City Council has embarked on a planned upgrade of its homes in the Falcon Lodge area of Sutton Coldfield, but families who own their home or rent from private landlords say it was not made clear they would have to contribute to the costs of up to £19,000 each.

Some of the leaseholders - including single parents and elderly - say they were 'brought to tears' and couldn't sleep when they received a letter telling them they would have to pay as they had not been at a meeting in April when the issue was discussed.

They have now formed the Falcon Lodge Action Group to challenge the bills.

It was back in March that the council said it was starting a 12-month programme to replace around 300 roofs on blocks of flats and houses.