Ref. 74412-11A SWINDON couple are prepared to be taken to court over a dispute about the communal hallway outside their flat.

Matt and Elanor Keeble bought a former council flat on Staple-ford Way, Penhill, early last year and have refused to pay the £52.29 quarterly service charge because they say the communal area is filthy.

Now the council has written to them threatening court action if the bill is not paid this week.

Matt, 33, a call centre manager, said: "The council say they have cleaned the area but it's filthy.

"We say it's extortion. They are charging money and not providing any discernible service.

"We want the council to do their job.

"We want them to do what we are paying for.

"Council tax rises every year but the services don't get any better.

"Since we became private owners we will do our bit to keep the communal area clean but they have a specific responsibility."

The couple have paid the charges since they bought the flat but have been complaining to the council about the state of the communal area.

"When the last bill came we paid it and asked them to come out and clean it," Matt said.

"Then the next bill came and it still wasn't done.

"We have stipulated all along that we will pay it, in cash if necessary, on the day it is cleaned.

"We are not trying to withhold payment because we can't pay or don't want to pay.

"We are withholding payment because it is for a service that hasn't been provided."

Matt said they were also upset that they received the letter on New Year's Eve after being told the matter would be put on hold over the Christmas period.

Elanor, 30, a customer service agent, then emailed the council to ask what the service should include.

She was told the caretakers would provide a basic service including sweeping and mopping where necessary of halls, landings and stairs and cleaning of accessible windows.

They do not use ladders to clean other windows, she was told.

Coun Andrew Bennett, the council's acting lead member for housing, said he could not comment on the individual case as he did not have full details.

But he added: "I will make sure that everyone has observed the correct procedures."

Due to the bank holiday the Evening Advertiser was unable to contact the council's housing department.

David Andrew