RESIDENTS living in a leaky tower block could be ordered to cough up close to £500,000 to carry out urgent repairs. 

Notting Hill Genesis housing association has written to leaseholders living in the eight-storey Cleves Court, in Station Lane, Pitsea, and the adjoining five-floor Aragon Court telling them repairs will roughly cost £8,000 each. 

Eighth floor resident Bill Boshell, 65, has had his flat “condemned” due to the leaks, water damage and mould which has left him without electricity and is being forced to move into an Airbnb.

Estimated costs have been sent to residents ahead of work starting, but Notting Hill Genesis admitted they will only “know the full cost once work is complete”. 

Moved out - Bill Boshell Moved out - Bill Boshell (Image: Bill Boshell) Bill said: “I have no electricity, and I have been told I cannot switch it back on, it is unsafe to use. My latest leak was in May, and we reported it. I have had around five previous leaks, and it has become worse.

“It is not only affecting my bathroom ceiling, but it is going all along my interior walls, floors, carpet and all my cupboards.”

The work, affecting the 66 flats in Cleves Court and Aragon Court, will be billed towards the end of 2025 however “payment plans” will be offered.

Bill added: “It drips when it rains and it pools up on the roof, I have asked them to put up a tarpaulin and some scaffolding to cover future damage.

“My flat is saturated with water and all my kitchen cupboards are showing mould.”

He moved out the flat yesterday, into a nearby Airbnb due to the flat being a “danger to health” and is looking to permanently move out, as he expects roof repairs to take at least three months and his flat’s restoration to take six months.

Bill’s neighbour, Amy Pope, 31, is similarly upset about the situation in the block of flats.

She said: “I am fearful, and I am scared, I am wondering if I have to actually pay that money. We are scared and I am meant to move next year. I can’t move out and put someone else in this situation.”

A Notting Hill Genesis spokesman said: “We have carried out a series of repairs to the roof at Cleves Court to avoid a full replacement and the cost to leaseholders, but the roof has now reached the end of its life and we have no alternative but to replace it.

“The two residents worse affected will have their insurance claim managed by us. One of those will temporarily be moved elsewhere during the repair. While leaseholders are obliged to pay for repairs under the terms of their lease, we recognise that major projects have an impact on residents and can offer payment plans where appropriate.”