Council flat leaseholders “feel they have been handed a debt” after being charged up to £20,000 for repair work on their homes.

People living in Severn Drive are facing the hefty bills for work Enfield Council say is necessary because of their “obligation to maintain housing stock and a duty of care to residents”.

The authority plans to replace the windows and roof, upgrade lights and TV aerials, and improve door security, with leaseholders being charged between £13,000 and £20,000.

Zied Lajimi, who lives in the block with his wife Anna and their two children – one of whom is autistic- said he thought it was a mistake when he first got the details of the costs in a letter on September 21, but is now facing a bill of £15,561, paid at £300 a month over five years.

Mr Lajimi, a hotel manager, said he has written letters and posted them through every door in the block, and has contacted his MP, Joan Ryan.

The 39-year-old says it is unfair of the council to leave current flat owners with a massive bill after not doing regular work for years, and wants it capped at £3,000 per person.

Mr Lajimi, who has lived in Severn Drive for 10 years, said: “I don’t want to be in debt, but I don’t have £15,000 in my bank account. We feel we have been handed a debt.

“I called the council and got no answer. I went to the address on the letter, they had moved. I tracked them down to their new address, they refused to see me. I am having to chase them, there is no-one to talk to.

“It is not something we want, need or can afford. We are starting to look at selling the house.

“They say the windows need double glazing, but I had mine done five years ago and it was all done in the corridors four years ago. It will not add any value onto my house, it makes no sense.

“We are all very stressed, I was sat up with my neighbours until 11pm last night. I am worried the noise of the work will stress my autistic son. I don’t know what to do.”

His neighbours are equally upset. Karen Wagner, an NHS receptionist, has lived in Severn Drive since 2011.

The 50-year-old said: “I am really upset, it’s an extortionate amount.

“It has made me feel quite anxious, it has set my blood pressure off and I am having to take tablets.

“We are getting people together. I have spoken to eight or nine, and they are all opposed to the bill.

“I agree the flats should be kept in good shape, but they have not done anything major for 20 to 30 years, and now they leave us with this bill.”

Severn Drive leaseholders now have 30 days in which to contact the council to challenge the works.

Enfield Council spokesperson Andrew Golder said: “Leaseholders know when they purchase a property from the council that they are financially responsible for repair and upgrade works to the blocks within which their properties reside.

“While we always seek to minimise the cost to leaseholders when works are carried out, we have a legal obligation to make sure that the properties we manage are well maintained and in a good state of repair, this benefits both leaseholders – who in the vast majority of cases will have bought their former council property at a significantly reduced rate - and council tenants.

“Leaseholders were first informed that works were scheduled in November last year and specific details of the works required were sent to them on 21 September. We are happy to discuss details of these works with leaseholders if they wish.

“The address of the Home Ownership Team and the telephone number was correct on the correspondence sent to leaseholders.”