£1.4bn bill for repairs to tenements

The Capital faces a £1.4 billion backlog of tenement repairs.

A new report by the council found the repair work is necessary to bring the fabric of historic buildings into a "reasonable standard of repair".

It said that owners had found that initial estimates for high-level work "bear little resemblance to the detailed cost estimates, once a fully structural survey has been concluded". It added "these issues create significant financial and emotional stress for owners", reflected in complaints from homeowners.

A major review is underway into the statutory notice system after homeowners complained of being over-charged for poor-quality work. The News revealed last month that council officials are to be told to make letters about the process clearer and all estimates are to include full details of costs.

There are around 118,000 tenement flats, many within the World Heritage Site.