HOMEOWNERS on a Little Lever estate have been told they have breached their lease by putting up satellite dishes or building extensions— and are now facing the threat of not being able to sell or remortgage their property.

Neighbours on the “racecourse estate” have been issued with demands for payment for six years’ worth of ground rent — regardless of whether they have already paid. Tonight an emergency public meeting will be held at Christ Church Methodist, Mytham Road, at 6.30pm.

Problems started when residents were told in December, that a new company, Drake Hall Limited, had acquired “the ground rent element” of their properties. Bolton-based Landmark Collections Ltd would act as agents, collecting the £12 annual rent and check that there was no “breach of lease” — which include, according to the company, installing satellite dishes and loft conversions.

Areas affected are Mytham Road, Edinburgh Road, Fontwell Road, Kempton Avenue, Carlisle Close and Newbury Road.

The director of both companies is Mark Hawthornthwaite, of Greenmount Lane, Heaton, who has an office in Chorley New Road.

In January, Landmark Collections sent letters demanding six years’ worth of ground rent totalling £96.

Further letters demanded £45 to process applications for retrospective consent for changes, such as extensions. They state: “This is a serious matter, which requires resolution, as soon as possible, in order to avoid further action being taking.”

Without consent home owners would not be able to sell, or remortgage their property, it claimed.

Some residents have paid the £96 and some have sent off receipts to show they were not in arrears. Some fear the £45 processing fee could spiral as the application is processed. One resident said: “They have demanded payment for six years worth of ground rent saying I am in arrears. I am not.” Another added: “It seems as if this new company has sent out blanket letters without checking the records. Some residents have been quite worried.”

Residents who have had an extension to their property said they informed the then agent. Those with written consent are still being told to send the £45 fee. They cannot find anything in their lease about television aerials.

A committee is being organised and so far 100 residents have got together. Cllr Sean Hornby, who organised the meeting, said: “This company does not seem to have records of what people have done and paid. Some of the people living in this estate are elderly and would be frightened and intimidated to receive a letter like this.

“I would like a representative of the company to attend, which they should be happy to do unless they have something to hide.”

A Landmark Collections Ltd spokesman said: “Our client Drake Hall Ltd acquired a large residential portfolio from a Charitable Trust in November 2009 — part of which was in Little Lever. As part of standard procedures in managing a property portfolio, ground rent arrears invoices were issued to residents based on the information provided by the former properties owner.

“Unfortunately, it transpired the given information was incorrect and the situation was immediately resolved by re-issue of correct invoices.”

Mr Hawthornthwaite did not return calls made by The Bolton News. The Leasehold Advisory Service said residents should check their lease agreements.