ANGRY Hendon residents have hit out at a plans to charge them up to £9,000 for repair work they claim is unnecessary.

Leaseholders in Woodburn Close have been told by their management agent Barnet Homes that improvement works are proposed on their properties over the coming months.

Many are concerned about the cost and the limited time being suggested in which they can pay it back.

One leaseholder, Benjamin Friedmann, said: “They are taking a Rolls Royce response to what is essentially Mini minor problems.

“They are offering us outrageous repayment terms that are worrying a lot of residents, but they have got us over a barrel.

“Barnet Homes is treating us like a business and it is tackling this in a way that is best for a corporate plan, ignoring the fact it is dealing with real people, their money and their life savings.”

The work will include replacing windows, including patio doors, with double glazed units, replacing guttering, installing digital aerial systems, and external redecorating.

Residents have been meeting with representatives from Barnet Homes and its contractors Balfour Beatty, but remain sceptical about the viability of paying back costs, which range from £3,000 to £9,000, over a period of two years or less.

Many accept they will have to pay back the money, but feel the time scale is too short, with some claiming the “disproportionate and inappropriate” scheme will lead to a “mutiny on repayments”.

Nick Kalmus, another leaseholder in Woodburn Close, said: “We are all clubbing together on this and there are people in the group who have the professional experience to find ways to defend ourselves.

“A lot of people have young families, are newly weds or single, or elderly with fixed incomes and they are all at important points in their lives, so this will have an impact on them and also puts a lot of stress on us all.

“In the current climate, the last thing people need is to be put under a large amount of financial pressure. It is not the right time to be doing this work.”

Barnet Homes chief executive Tracey Lees said the organisation has been given £88 million from Government to bring the borough's council properties up to its Decent Homes standard by 2011, and promised the works will favour leaseholders.

She said: “The work can also benefit leaseholders in the long term by improving the energy efficiency of properties, reducing ongoing maintenance costs, and raising the market value of their home.

“But we’re also very mindful that, in the short term, many leaseholders are being presented with substantial one-off bills for the Decent Homes work in difficult economic circumstances.”

She said Barnet Homes has been working with Barnet Council to look at ways to “make it easier” for leaseholders to pay for major works, which include loans policies and early payment discounts.

“Leaseholders know their properties and we take all comments into account as we draw up final proposals,” she said.

“We’re encouraging residents of Woodburn Close to stay in close contact with our project officer, whether they wish to offer suggestions or voice concerns, and we’ll continue to listen and respond to their views throughout the process.”