RESIDENTS have been asked to pay £21,000 each to repair their block of flats.

Brighton and Hove City Council wrote to leaseholders in the local authority-owned Clarendon House, Hove, asking them to contribute towards £1 million of building repairs.

The council said the cash would be spent on external wall insulation, new windows, balcony doors and new roofs.

Residents have to pay as part of their leases.

Resident Joseph Wade, 76, said: “I’ve never been in debt in my life but I woke up one morning last week and am £21,000 in debt.

“There’s no way out of it. I went to a consultation evening but it wasn’t satisfactory.”

Mr Wade, who has lived at Clarendon House for 16 years, added: “The council estimated the price of a new door at £1,050.

“But years ago I used to put doors up myself and put one up for £350.

“I told them that and asked why we should trust them? They said they had done thorough investigations and palmed it off. It seems overpriced.”

Mr Wade said he would ask the council to take the £21,000 owed from his estate once he had died.

Councillor Bill Randall, chairman of the housing committee, said all leaseholders would be affected and not council tenants renting the flats. He confirmed the plans were in the consultation stage and leaseholders had until February 18 to submit written comments.

Coun Randall said: “The proposed project will cover a two-year period and no request for payment will be made before work is completed.

“The council will also apply for eco-funding for the insulation work to help to reduce the cost for leaseholders.

“We understand leaseholders can face difficulty with payment. They are provided with advice on payment options.”