RESIDENTS of a block of flats in Portishead said they are living in a building “that doesn’t meet fire safety standards” with “costs spiralling out of control”.

Leaseholders at Ninety4 on the Estuary are claiming the building is affected by unresolved fire safety defects, skyrocketing service charges, and delays in remediation by their freeholder Aviva.

Pam Moore, on behalf of 77 of the 82 private leaseholders at Ninety4 on the Estuary, said she has been trying to address serious safety issues discovered during post-Grenfell inspections with both the freeholder and developer, Crest Nicholson.

These include missing fire breaks, flammable insulation and fire doors that were not fitted to code from the beginning, which have resulted in the building receiving an EWS B2 fire safety rating.

Pam said: “It’s beyond frustrating. We’re living in a building that doesn’t meet fire safety standards, our costs are spiralling out of control, and there appears to be no genuine interest from the freeholder, their asset managers or our managing agents to resolve this.

“It feels like we’re being extorted rather than supported. This is happening to thousands of leaseholders across the UK.

“We need legislative reform now. Managing Agents, freeholders and asset managers cannot be allowed to continue holding our lives and our homes hostage.”

According to HCB Solicitors service charges have soared, more than doubling from £1,000 per year in 2015 to approximately £2,000 by 2020.

Mike Hayne, business development manager at HCB Solicitors, commented: "This case exposes deep flaws in the leasehold system and fire safety regulations.

“The leaseholders are powerless, burdened with rising costs and deliberate delays by both the freeholder and managing agents, all while living in unsafe homes.

“This is nothing short of scandalous.

“The Building Safety Act provides some relief, but many leaseholders are still stuck in a legal grey area, with limited recourse.

“We urgently need more government intervention to ensure freeholders and managing agents act swiftly, fairly, and transparently.”

It is understood Crest Nicholson has now, for Ninety4, provided a guarantee that they will cover all remediation costs, with nothing being passed on to leaseholders.

A spokesperson for Aviva Investors, fund manager for the landlord - the Aviva Investors Ground Rent Fund: “We appreciate the concerns and difficulties facing residents and leaseholders whose buildings have fire safety issues requiring remediation.

“As fund manager for the landlord, we are committed to engaging pro-actively with all interested parties to secure the remediation of affected buildings.

“We have worked in this spirit with Crest, the developer of Ninety4 The Estuary and have agreed the remediation works agreement.

“This will be signed by the landlord and Crest once Crest have received the Local Authority’s approval to their proposed remediation works, which we understand is expected towards the end of the year.

“On the other issues raised, the landlord’s asset managers have been liaising with leaseholders to address their concerns.

“In terms of the waking watch costs, this matter has been raised with Crest and at time of writing, their response is awaited.”