Bexhill homeowners face bills of up to £11,000 for sheds and extensions

Dr Kieran Mullan said homeowners received letters from Asset Invest Ltd informing them they needed retrospective planning permission for alterations under the terms of restrictive covenants on their houses.

He said residents have been left 'deeply concerned'.

Dr Mullan said: “Residents were being asked for sums ranging from £7,500 to over £11,000 for retrospective consent for things such as the building of an extension or conservatory: the removal of internal walls and the erection of sheds or fences. Constituents had obtained the relevant planning permission and the letters came as a complete shock.

“I wrote to all residents living in properties on the former Percy Bilton Estate in the Cooden area who might be affected and we are now able to work together as a group to make sure everyone affected is able to robustly defend themselves.

“I am in contact with other MPs whose constituents have received similar letters and we are determined to work together on this issue.

“Whilst restrictive covenants have their place in preserving the character of an estate, in this case the covenants are over 50 years old and the estate has evolved over time. There is actually no suggestion that residents will be told they can’t make these sorts of changes.

“Asset Invest Ltd have said that their involvement has been as a result of being approached by interested parties during a sale. I know of several constituents who have received letters from Asset Invest Ltd when their home is not on the market and they have no intention of selling. Residents are deeply concerned.

“Legislation provides leaseholders with the opportunity to challenge unjust expenses. This is clearly an area that needs to be looked at in the same way."

Resident Kathy Bernard said: “Our conveyancing solicitors (now defunct) were aware of the covenants but advised us not to worry about them as they were archaic and effectively obsolete. Now, we realise that may not be the case.

“We received Asset Invest's letter in August 2025. Having researched the whole issue we, with nearby neighbours, formed a collective residents group which is now over 80.

“Some residents have received claims in excess of £7,000 simply for granting retrospective approval. If these sums are purported to reflect the costs of engaging architects or surveyors to assess the works, then they are clearly absurd, given the ease with which detailed plans can be obtained from the local authority.

“The objective of the covenants was clearly to protect the character and integrity of the estate. Given all the changes that could have occurred in the 51 intervening years since our covenants were written, the appearance of the estate is remarkably unchanged. Most, if not all developments are not even visible from the road.”

Fraser Karlsen, director of Asset Invest Ltd, said: “The restrictive covenants in question are long-standing legal provisions attached to the original development of the estate and remain part of the property titles. Our role is limited to administering these rights when they are raised by third parties typically during property transactions where solicitors or lenders seek clarification to ensure a sale can proceed smoothly.

“We do not initiate contact with homeowners. Our involvement arises only in response to external enquiries, and our objective is to provide a clear and proportionate route to resolving any issues identified, helping to avoid delays in property transactions.

“Any fees referenced are determined through established valuation processes in line with recognised professional standards and reflect the legal rights attached to the land.

“We recognise that this is a complex and sensitive area for residents. We are committed to handling all enquiries professionally, transparently, and constructively, and we remain open to engaging with stakeholders to improve understanding of the legal framework.”