SENTINEL Housing Association has vowed to repay residents after charging for a window cleaning service which ceased 18 months ago.

More than 30 properties at Winklebury Centre, in Winklebury, Basingstoke, were charged for communal window cleaning up until last month, even though the service ceased in 2010.

Winklebury ward borough councillor Robert Donnell has now asked for an immediate apology to be sent to those residents left out of pocket, calling the error “a disgrace”.

Until December 2010, residents living in the block had their communal windows cleaned by a contractor. But once the service stopped, Sentinel staff continued to charge 32 households.

Cllr Donnell told The Gazette: “This is appalling and Sentinel need to apologise and repay the residents immediately – with interest.

“They have told me that it is complex but I don’t see it that way. The residents deserve to have their money back and I will make sure it happens.”

Lionel Haynes, finance director for Sentinel, said a communal window cleaning service had been in effect at the centre. He added: “Further investigation shows that this service ended in 2010 but the charge continued to be levied.

“We have identified 32 households who overpaid an average of £61 and we will be crediting their rent accounts. We will investigate any concerns our residents have about their rent or service charges and encourage them to contact us if they have any queries.”