A couple from Porthleven are having their fight taken all the way to London by their MP over what he is describing as "extortionate" charges being forced upon them by their housing association.

Coastline Housing has come under fire from West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas, who has taken up the couple's case on their behalf.

It is after the housing association told the unnamed pair that their share of the bill for a replacement roof and guttering on the flat they own in Coastline Housing's Wheal Rose building would be £4,590.

However, the association has countered that it would be "unfair" to its other residents if the cost was not met by the leaseholder.

Mr Thomas is now seeking ministerial intervention into the case, after learning that the bill was almost £800 more than the original estimate and also included around £600 in management fees.

He is also questioning how Coastline Housing can award the work to its own subsidiary, Coastline Services.

Mr Thomas said: “It can’t be right that a housing association can award itself a lucrative contract without putting it out to tender, then demand an extortionate 15 per cent in totally unnecessary management fees and finally pass on the hefty £800 overspend that their own company has incurred.

“In this specific case, doubts have been raised as to whether the work was even necessary, but Coastline Housing seem to enjoy carte blanche to demand what they like from people who have worked and saved hard to buy their former housing association property.

“If there are loopholes in the rules and regulations which mean that organisations like Coastline are able to operate without proper scrutiny and against the best interests of residents, those loopholes need to be closed."

He added that he would be taking the case to both the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government and to the chief executive of Homes England, which has responsibility for social housing.

A spokesperson for Coastline Housing said: "As a responsible charitable landlord Coastline is committed to ensuring all customers, whether renting or leasing, live in good quality homes that meet expected standards. We can only do this by carrying out essential maintenance works from time to time.

"We have a large number of customers who have purchased the leasehold to their homes. As a home owner, they have responsibilities to cover their share of the cost of works such as roofing replacement and external maintenance. Leaseholders are made aware of their responsibilities and are consulted on our maintenance programme, in line with best practice and relevant legislation.

"The costs that we pass on are split fairly according to the total number of residences, whether rented or leased, within a building undergoing maintenance. The management fee of 15 per cent charged in addition to the cost of the work is in line with relevant guidelines and industry standards.

"The total cost is within a standard price framework and compares favourably to guidance from the National Housing Federation. Coastline Services is wholly owned by Coastline Housing which means the roofing contract can be kept in-house to provide better value for money.

"If essential maintenance costs like this were not met by the leaseholder, the work would in effect be subsidised by our other residents, which would be unfair, and also a breach of our responsibilities as a charity."