Residents of Oldham housing estate anger at £10k yearly bill for “nothing”

Furious residents living on a brand-new Oldham housing estate have slammed house builders Redrow after being charged over £200 each per year for ‘grounds maintenance’ that hasn’t happened.

Homeowners living on Meadow View in Moorside, which comprises 48 homes, say that despite demands from property management company RMG Living for the fees since the flagship Oldham site was launched in 2016.

The company had failed to carry out any services under its contract whilst grabbing in excess of £10,000 per year.

The discovery came after residents complained that the grassed area to the entry of the estate hadn’t been maintained for over six months.

They were told by RMG that it wasn’t responsible for the estate and it was still a matter for Redrow Homes.

However, things took a turn when Redrow itself advised that RMG had in fact taken responsibility since 2018.

When pressed further by angry residents, both companies cited a ‘missing email’ as the reason why no handover had taken place and a dispute emerged between the two as to whom was responsible for the upkeep of the estate.

Michael Davis, a homeowner on the estate, said, “Since moving on to the estate, many residents have shared frustrations about the lack of customer care and quality of service from Redrow and its associated partners.

We had no choice of property maintenance company when we purchased our homes, and to find out that we’ve paid such a large sum of money for no service whatsoever is appalling.

Neither Redrow or RMG communicated with us beforehand to advise of the situation, it was only when we complained about the lack of services that the bigger picture became clear. Who knows how long this fiasco would carry on for if we hadn’t intervened?

We’re paying for nothing.”

Following a number of emails and calls to RMG to query the monies paid, the company has stated that it “is obligated to demand and collect service charge funds for the services that are due to take place across the estate in advance.”

Residents are still unclear about how their funds have been spent and credits back to homeowners have yet to materialise, however RMG has since raised its fees across the entire estate.

Michele Breslin, who also lives on the estate, added. “We were absolutely shocked to find that even after admitting RMG hadn’t taken responsibility of the estate, our service charges went up.

We were promised a credit back on our accounts, but it feels like we’ve been penalised because we have no choice in the matter.”

Redrow Homes, which is currently promoting its two newest Oldham developments, Saddleworth View and Fox Meadows, responded to residents with an instruction to cut the estate grass as a one off “gesture of goodwill” whilst the matter is resolved.

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