Homeowners sent two sets of bills for maintenance work are to fight back against rival firms who claim to have the maintenance contract for their flats.
Last night residents from Chestnut Road, Vange, met at the Barge pub, off the High Road, and started petitions to force the companies to hold extraordinary general meetings to decide which of them should have the contract.
The problem surrounds management companies Equity and C&C, who are both claiming responsibility for the upkeep of the 35 blocks of flats.
The row dates back to June 2003 when a group of residents, who said they were disgruntled with Equity's service, held an AGM to transfer control to C&C.
Equity said it was unwilling to accept this decision and claimed the transfer of control was not legal.
Last night, leasehold expert Sarah Jakes, from Billericay, advised residents that C&C's takeover was probably not legally correct and binding.
Resident Angus Fitzmorris said: "This is the only way forward. Leaseholders have got to start telling their management company what to do instead of the other way around."
Police have launched a fraud probe into the actions of the companies.
Both companies insist they have done nothing wrong.
Published Thursday June 17, 2004
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