The residents and tenants of Bella Vista Apartment Group in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, have called on homeowners and the board representing homeowners to find lasting solutions to the issues affecting the overall quality of life of people living within the community.
The concerned residents and tenants, in a press conference recently, expressed their collective concerns regarding several ongoing issues affecting the maintenance and overall quality of life despite paying for maintenance services.
At the forefront of their concerns is the unresolved advances paid to Daleji, which remain unreconciled, with inaccurate records adding further frustration.
“We have a WhatsApp group that was set up by the BUSSECOM Board & the maintenance service provider. After the election of the new BUSSECOM board, the newly elected chairman Abhulimen Victor shared on the WhatsApp group that the board terminated the contract of erstwhile service provider Daleji, who served for over 10 years, and further that a new service provider, ATIS, was being introduced immediately.
“We expressed our concern about such one-sided decisions and a sudden transition to the new service provider and an even bigger concern about the refund of our deposits that were parked with Daleji.
“The chairman guaranteed in writing that all the deposits would be refunded or handed over to new service providers within two to three months, but it has been more than nine months, and no refund has been made by Daleji.
“We shared a letter that they signed and sent to the BUSSECOM board highlighting the fact that Daleji refused to refund the funds on account of several residents & owners who were not paying their due charges including the current chairman.
“Many other concerns were raised via this letter besides some suggestions that were put on the table to improve the ongoing situation. However, to date, residents have not received any response from the Board,” the group lamented.
Safety concerns were also raised, particularly regarding the elevators, which residents say are not maintained to proper standards.
According to the group, frequent breakdowns have left individuals stuck in lifts, while one of the two elevators in every building remains unavailable due to ongoing repair activity.
The group recalled assurances from the previous board chairman regarding the replacement of lifts, but no progress has been made, adding to the frustration.
The residents lamented, “The new service provider has not only failed to provide for uninterrupted supply of electricity and clean water but also failed to maintain the elevators and amenities, including the gym, swimming pool, tennis courts and garden area, besides also completely failing to provide general home maintenance services for which residents are being asked to pay every month.
“On one occasion one of the lifts plunged out of control and fell from the 10th floor. Fortunately, the elevator got stuck in between after a free fall, and people were rescued.
“For the past year, only one of the two lifts has been functional in each of the five blocks. While the lifts, being more than 12 years old, need replacement, the Board has been showing expenses to residents in the name of maintenance, while the fact is that 50 per cent of the lifts don’t work and the other half being used is completely unsafe.
“On average, the monthly maintenance invoice has been increased by over four times in the last nine months.
“Also, repair services across the compound have proven inadequate. Delays in fixing air conditioner issues, frequent power outages, and irregularity in billings, including over-invoicing, have further raised suspicions of financial exploitation.”
They added that maintenance fees, particularly electricity charges, have seen steep and unjustified increases, surging to three or four times their previous rates.
“These amenities are integral to the appeal of Bella Vista, and their neglect is seen as diminishing the community’s quality of life and long-term value,” the residents said.
Despite repeated requests for a meeting with the chairman and board spanning over a year and a half, the group said their concerns remain unaddressed, saying that some board members have left the communication group entirely, while those who remain are rarely responsive.
“As paying residents who appreciate and enjoy living in Bella Vista, we want to emphasise that we share the same interests and aspirations for maintaining and improving our community as the homeowners and the Board do.
“However, we are feeling increasingly discriminated against, helpless, and frustrated by the lack of clarity and resolution surrounding certain matters.
“We are paying over a million naira per apartment every month for maintenance, yet the services provided fail to meet the standard their payment implies.
“Take the swimming pool, for instance, it was unusable for five days, a significant inconvenience. We expect well-maintained facilities. Broken showers, malfunctioning lights, lifts that are out of order, and unreliable water supply,” the group said.
The group bemoaned that despite the hefty payments, these amenities are far from satisfactory, pointing out that the tennis court is not in good order with damaged floors and patches that disrupt play.
“Lifts are in bad shape, and many times, the residents are trapped inside, posing a risk to the lives of all the residents and their little children.
“While these conditions might seem acceptable to some, they are far below the standards expected for the high fees.
The group said all concerns raised are fundamental because they affect the basic living conditions of the residents.
“It is expected that when residents make payments for services, there are specific obligations on the board or the facility management to fulfill them.
“So we want the board to prioritise all our quality, health and safety issues. We are demanding that they settle all the accounts and there should be transparency and accountability in their operations.
“We deserve an account of where our funds are and how they are being handled. Proper management and accountability are essential to maintaining trust. You want us to be paying for maintenance fees, and we are not getting the services.
“Residents are shocked and scared about such unprofessional tactics being used to frustrate, overcharge, and scare residents during their stay and even when they decide to leave the estate,” they said.
