Victims of the Holborough Lakes fire have been presented with a service charge bill for their flats – even though they are no longer habitable.

Forty-three people were made homeless after flames ripped through the apartment block in Lambe Close September, destroying 22 flats.

The developers of the estate, Berkeley Homes, are yet to start rebuilding the flats, and the former occupants remain in temporary accommodation or staying with relatives.

But that has not stopped the estate’s management company RMG sending the leaseholders a bill for the new year.

The company told residents: “Your leasehold ownership remains unaffected by the fire and your ground rent and estate service charges continue to be payable under the terms of your lease.”

But acknowledging residents were not actually able to live in their properties, the company told them it would discount the majority of the block service charge, though it still wanted a contribution towards the management fee, audit fee and the reserve fund.

Andrea Bullman, formerly of Lambe Close, but now staying at temporary accommodation in Lidbrooke in South East London, is one of those affected.

She said: “Just before Christmas I was sent a cheque for £379, which was a gift from all the donations that people and businesses had made to help the victims of the fire, which was lovely and so kind.

“Then a few days afterwards, RMG sent me a bill for almost the same amount.”

Mrs Bullman has been asked to pay £346.77 for the next six months – the figure is more than half of her normal charge of around £650.

She said: “I’m amazed they’re asking for this money when we physically can’t live there and haven’t been able to for the past four months.”

RMG was contacted but declined to comment.

The same block of flats was damaged by a fire on Friday, January 5.

Two people had to be rescued from their balcony and dozens evacuated after a blaze started in an electrical cupboard.

No one was hurt and the fire was quickly contained.