Emotions run high at heated meeting as angry residents tell maintenance agency bosses on Harborough housing estate - 'we will not pay your hidden costs'

Outraged homeowners on a Market Harborough estate are launching a stunning full-scale revolt against maintenance agency bosses.
Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.
Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.

Furious people living on Farndon Fields are setting up a residents’ association to manage their own development and combat what they say are hidden fleeceholding fees.

And a growing number are vowing that they won’t pay Chamonix Estates any more cash until they pull off the take-over.

Residents have pledged to “take back control” after fury erupted at a special open forum together with company officers on Tuesday night (Feb 4).

Residents during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.Residents during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.
Residents during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.

Following the hot-tempered two-hour showdown at Robert Smyth Academy, Lara Raffaelli, 53, of Angell Drive, Farndon Fields, told the Harborough Mail: “We’ve had enough.

“We are staging a full-blown rebellion against Chamonix Estates.

“At least nine people have already signed the document we’ve drawn up and our bandwagon’s picking up pace all the time.”

Lara, who has been spearheading the estate-wide movement, spoke as she presented Chamonix Estates bosses with the ultimatum after the heated head-to-head.

Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.
Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.

The protesters have told the Sandon-based firm that they “cease and desist all maintenance operations on or that affect our leasehold plot”.

They declare: “We will not be making any further payments of maintenance to Chamonix for the year commencing 2020 and until further notice.

“This includes all payments towards the administrations of Chamonix Ltd, including postage, as our email addresses are readily available.

“We will make a ‘reasonable’ contribution to electricity where applicable, assessed by an independent utility service provider.”

Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.
Katie Stainsby Associate Director of Chamonix Estates during the meeting with Farndon Fields, Farndon Road residents at Robert Smyth Academy.

The action group stresses: “In regard to past payments for 2018 and 2019, we insist on a full breakdown of maintenance works, including dates, times and work undertaken, in order to assess whether these works were legally ‘reasonable’.

“In cases where we find these charges not to be reasonable we will request full refunds or a write-off of any unpaid invoices.

“Should Chamonix or the landlord disagree with our suspension of services we will be happy to have the dispute ruled upon by The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).”

Lara said the depth of anger on Farndon Fields was highlighted by over 50 residents turning out to give Chamonix Estates a rough ride.

Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.
Residents vent their anger during the meeting with Chamonix Estates at Robert Smyth Academy.

“I’ve been paying inflated bills for four years.

“We fork out up to £600 a year and nothing seems to get done.

“We’ve heard what Chamonix have had to say tonight but words are cheap.

“The time for talking is over.

“We are taking action now – and our army is on the march.

“We are determined that power will be handed over to the people.”

Lara said she’s prepared to be a director of a new Right to Manage scheme and strip Chamonix Estates of their powers.

A spokesman for Barratt Homes, which has built many of the new properties affected, told people they could transfer the land to their management company within a week.

Chamonix Estates are now set to stage a dramatic extraordinary general meeting next month to allow residents to run their own estate.

Feelings ran high as angry homeowners aimed a stinging volley of complaints and accusations against the maintenance operation.

People raged that basic repairs to damaged bollards and “live wires hanging out of street lights” were not carried out.

One man said he had waited three months for bulbs to be replaced in courtyard lights.

“I sent four emails to your staff at Chamonix but you just ignored me.

“I’m paying £240 a year for nothing, it’s ridiculous,” he snapped.

Fronting the meeting, Katie Stainsby, an associate director of Chamonix Estates, told rebellious customers: “I have been surprised by the level of anger and discontent here.

“I am disappointed at certain things.

“And we have to be better dealing with residents.”

But she did warn them it would be wrong not to pay their bills and deal with Chamonix until they had replaced them in the box seat.

Ms Stainsby told the Mail afterwards: “I can understand why people here tonight are angry and upset.

“But I would like to think that on the whole we are doing what we are paid to do.”

She said it’s “exciting” when people buy a home and some may not have fully realised what was involved.

“But it was important for me to come here tonight and listen to residents voice their concerns,” said Ms Stainsby.