Furious residents on a new-build estate say their annual maintenance fees have soared to £700 despite rubbish piling up and weeds growing out of control.

Those living at Ashford’s huge Finberry Village development - which will eventually grow to 1,180 homes - say they feel like they are being “robbed” as the bills continuously increase.

They have become increasingly frustrated as bins were left unemptied – with management firm HML blaming the withdrawal of grounds maintenance on some residents failing to pay their fees.

Like thousands of other freeholders on new-build estates across the county, the homeowners have limited legal recourse to challenge the rising management charges.

But 30 people living at Finberry – where prices range from £385,000 for a three-bed to £545,000 for the priciest four-bed – have now formed a residents committee in the hope of holding HML to account.

Siobhan Lyell, chair of the newly-formed group, says when she first completed on her purchase she was told the annual fee would be £250.

Then after three years with no charges, “a whopping great big bill for more than £1,000 arrived, to be paid instantly”.

Ms Lyell says HML then adds the shortfall at the end of the year, leaving her with an annual fee of about £700, on top of the £3,000 she pays in council tax.

Different properties across the development are subject to different fees, with some topping £1,200 and others being as little as £150.

The 64-year-old, who has lived on the estate for six years, told KentOnline “there is no maintenance here at all now”.

“That includes cutting the grass, emptying the bins and the dog waste bins,” she added. “All the things that we are paying big bucks for aren't happening.

“It feels like we’re being robbed of money for nothing. It’s just misery - we really need action.”

HML told KentOnline this week that “interim measures” have been put in place and bins are now being emptied twice weekly.

In a breakdown of charges sent to residents, the firm says money is earmarked for services including animal fouling removal, electricity for streetlights, health and safety inspections and landscaping. It also includes professional, management and bank fees.

In a letter sent to all Finberry residents, a member of HML’s property management team writes: “We understand that recent events have led to a great deal of frustration and concerns among our valued residents at Finberry.

“We appreciate your patience and engagement as we aim to provide clarification on the situation.

“It is crucial for us all to remember that working together collaboratively is key to resolving these issues effectively.

“Maintaining a professional demeanour in our interactions will help foster a constructive atmosphere as we navigate these challenges together.

“The recent withdrawal of grounds maintenance services is a direct result of significant non-payment of service charges by some residents.”

Some Finberry homeowners have found themselves struggling to keep up with the increasing bills.

Despite asking for leniency or requesting payment plans, they have found HML quick to move to collection enforcement.

One woman who lives on the estate even described being threatened with legal action after being incorrectly issued a bill totalling more than £1,000.

“We urge all owners to settle any outstanding amounts to avoid any further debt collection action...”

Scared into complying, she paid the bill - but is now struggling to get the firm to hand back her overpayment.

In the letter sent to residents, HML accepts that reminders and collection notices sent out by the firm “may have caused concern for some homeowners”.

“These are issued to ensure the continuity of services,” it adds.

“Failure to settle outstanding charges after reminders may lead to further actions, including property debt collection.

“For those who have paid their charges but are not receiving services, we appreciate your patience.”

In response to the issues, more than 30 people who call Finberry home came together on Friday and formed a residents committee.

Their aim is to hold the firm responsible for maintaining their community’s space to account - and ensure the fees they are paying are used responsibly.

Currently, they are focused on restoring the full maintenance service.

They are also petitioning for a life ring at the estate's lake to be replaced after it went missing earlier this year.

In a statement, a spokesperson for HML told KentOnline that the service charges “are essentially non-profit or loss”.

“Funds are required to actively manage the development and we urge all owners to settle any outstanding amounts to avoid any further debt collection action,” they said.

“It is regretful to those that have paid their service charges that services have had to be placed on hold due to others not paying.”

They said interim measures have been put in place across the development while the grounds maintenance contract is being re-tendered.

“Bins for example are being emptied twice a week, ad hoc repairs will be carried out if they are deemed essential works during said period,” they said.

“It is worth stating that during this period whereby some services have been placed on hold, that the development remains compliant, fully insured and through the use of our online portal we will continue to provide updates accordingly.”

The spokesperson added that HML is not the “decision maker” and acts on the instruction of Finberry Estate Management Limited, including on matters such as billing and debt collection.

Click here to find out what rights you have to challenge the services charge on your estate.

Residents living on the Finberry development have also had to put up with more than a year of roadworks “hell” along the A2070.

Major upgrades were carried out on Bad Munstereifel Road to replace the Orbital Park roundabout with a traffic light-controlled junction.