Major Works Contract - Dispute?

[Redlondon]

Hi all,

I was sent this attached letter from the company managing our estate, they say they want to add some lighting to the walkways and want to charge me £380 for my part. I wanted to know if i have any legal right to refuse to pay this, I am on benefits and out of work atm, we already pay almost £30 a week in service charges. Also, why is there £618 of additional costs? surely adding some lightbulbs shouldnt cost £2421, cant they just add battery powered wall lights for £10 each from homebase? id be happy to carry out the works...

Thanks in advance for any help, greatly appreciated.

[R0b]

I don't know much about major works contracts for leases but having a quick scout online, the link below might offer some insight. I am also tagging des8 in case he can add anythign further.

https://www.lease-advice.org/article...o-your-rights/

https://www.lease-advice.org/advice-...panies-agents/

[des8]

Apologies for delay (blame the grandchildren!)

I'm pretty sure that this will be tied up legally and you'll have no joy challenging it directly.

Do you believe that upgrading the lighting will deter anti social behaviour?
Does the block already suffer from anti social behaviour?

If your answer to both is "no", do any of your neighbours agree with you?
Have any of your neighbours suggested the upgrade?

If you have a body of support for your views you could organising the residents into a pressure group.
You all have the opportunity to make observations, so do so.
Also get as many as possible to write to your landlord expressing their opposition.
As the Landlord is Westminster City council also all write to your local councillor.

Whilst you can give pointers to your neighbours on what to write, it is better if everyone writes an individual letter,
Resist the temptation to supply people with a template, as that way weakens the impact

Don't underestimate the task in front of you.
It will mean knocking on every door in the block, and besides talking to residents give them a printed summary of what to do if they oppose the works