Summary
Residents of flats in Kirkby, Merseyside, were billed £3.6 million to fix serious fire safety issues, forcing them to move out. The flat owners are tied to leases making them responsible for repair costs, despite being unable to live in the buildings. The situation involves complex lease agreements with multiple parties involved.
Key Facts
- Residents of Beech Rise and Willow Rise were made homeless due to fire safety issues.
- They received a £3.6 million combined bill for repairs and maintenance.
- Each flat owner faces about £10,000 in charges despite not living in the flats.
- The buildings were originally council blocks, refurbished in 2006 into luxury apartments.
- The residents' management company had accumulated significant debts.
- Issues have included damp, mould, faulty electrics, and broken lifts.
- The buildings operate under a "tripartite" lease structure with three parties involved: individual owners, a management company, and a head lessor.
- In 2011, the head lease was sold to a firm with ties to the British Virgin Islands.
