It was supposed to be one of Salford’s most exciting places to live, but anger is growing among residents at Middlewood Locks.
The Scarborough Group developer of the flats aimed to build a place with ‘friendly, buzzy, city-village vibe’, with its own bars and shops on a premium waterside location.
Since its construction, more than 2,000 people have snapped up apartments in the community made up of renters and leaseholders, where the latest batch of homes in a scheme known as The Railings are being sold from £220,000 up to more than £300,000.
But some in Middlewood Locks say the number of problems are growing.
Three leaseholders, who asked not to be named, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that relations between residents and the developer have reached ‘breaking point’.
They provided evidence showing their service charges had been under budgeted some years, leaving them having to pay out more than they had planned.
But the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ came this July when a number of residents received backdated energy bills from January 2021, leaving some facing payments of more than £1,000.
The issues led to around 70 Middlewood Locks residents meeting in July, and agree to crowdfund legal advice about their situation, which is ongoing.
It also saw Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey intervene to call on Savills, the company managing Middlewood Locks, to make the situation right and not pass these costs onto residents.
Shortly after the LDRS reported on the problem with energy bills in July, Savills announced it would step down from its role as managing agent – but this has left residents wondering who will take over, and whether estate charges could be even higher when a new firm comes in.
A 33-year-old leaseholder at Middlewood Locks said: “People are fed up and angry with what’s going on. It feels like we are second class citizens to renters, but we were here first to help build the community.”
Another resident, 35, said they have contacted the developer about the issues with backdated energy bills, but have received no kindness or support.
They added: “There’s no empathy at all from Scarborough. Quite a few of us have considered moving out because we are sick of this.
“I wouldn’t buy here if I knew then what I know now. We pay one of the highest service charges in Manchester and get nothing for it.”
A 41-year-old said: “We’re asking for them [Scarborough Group] to listen to our concerns so we can work together, but they’re not listening to us, and we don’t know what’s happening with the energy charges.”
Middlewood Locks Residential (MLR), the Scarborough firm overseeing the development, said it is investigating the issues raised by residents and will address the problems.
A company spokesperson added: “Middlewood Locks Residential Ltd is very concerned about recent feedback from some leaseholders.
“Managing agents and other suppliers to the estate are expected to share collective values and with it, integrity, professionalism and transparency among their highest priorities. It is therefore very concerning for us to receive this feedback and we have acted quickly to investigate.
“We wrote to all leaseholders on July 31 to advise that we have mutually agreed for Savills to step down from its role as managing agent and that the process of appointing a new managing agent with a comprehensive handover will take some time.
“We do value and act upon the concerns of our leaseholders and will continue to keep them updated as we work to appoint a new managing agent and address each concern in turn.
“We would like to reassure our leaseholders and customers of our best intentions at all times and we will continue to go above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes for all at Middlewood Locks.
“We would appreciate courtesy and patience while we work through these matters.”
Savills stated that it is working with MLR and energy firm ISTA to clarify the position around resident tariffs.
A spokesperson previously said: “With regards to the service charge at Middlewood Locks, this is budgeted in line with the growing needs of the properties, to cover areas such as staff costs, cleaning of communal areas, security, landscaping and appropriate project works.
“There is also an element of service charge expenditure which is linked to the needs of the wider estate. We are engaged with leaseholders on this matter and have prepared a breakdown of the costs that is being shared with leaseholders in order to provide further clarity.”
