Clarion Housing Group Refutes Overcharging Allegations in Great Bookham
Surrey residents are up in arms over potential overcharges for heating during a two-year period when the building's heating system was malfunctioning. Michael Heelas, a resident of Turville Court, claims that Clarion Housing Group, the managing company, ignored repeated warnings about the system's deteriorating condition.
Heelas asserts that tenants were overcharged for electricity and gas from late 2022 until September 2024, despite Clarion's promises. He also mentions that residents continued to pay for heating during the breakdown and for electric heaters installed as a temporary fix.
Clarion acknowledges the disruption but denies any overpayments. They explain that their fixed-price contract protected residents from the highest prices of 2022-2023, but when the contract was renegotiated in 2024, costs rose in line with the market. Clarion emphasizes that residents pay fixed service charges annually, which are not adjusted based on actual energy costs, thus no overpayments occurred.
Heelas, however, claims that requests for charge bills were ignored for 18 months until a legal threat was made. Clarion did not respond to this specific claim but maintained their stance.
The controversy lies in the interpretation of the fixed-price contract and the residents' ongoing expenses. Heelas argues that the contract's terms were not honored, while Clarion believes they fulfilled their obligations. This disagreement highlights the importance of transparent communication and fair billing practices in property management.
