TORFAEN’S Assembly Member, Lynne Neagle has revealed that the Welsh Government is investigating whether it has the power to cap the amount leaseholders can be charged in Wales, following a campaign she has taken up on behalf of her constituents.

It comes after a face-to-face meeting Ms Neagle held with Lesley Griffiths, the minister for communities and tackling poverty.

Last month, residents of a Cwmbran tower block were told that will not have to foot a £285,000 bill for external wall insulation (EWI) demanded by a Torfaen housing association, after a tribunal ruled in their favour.

Leaseholders of flats in the town's Monmouth House were asked in 2012 by Bron Afon Community Housing to pay hefty bills for repairs to the property, including the aforementioned sum.

Lessees were asked to pay a contribution of between £11,129.47 and £27,823.67 depending on the size of their flats, the effect being to put some into negative equity.

They disputed the charge for EWI, claiming that - unlike the other work, which included a new roof and windows - this was not a repair to the building, but an improvement, which under the terms of their leases, they did not not have to fund.

A leasehold valuation tribunal (LVT) has determined that they are right, reducing their overall bills by around 35 per cent.

Thirty-five of the 56 flats in Monmouth House are leased by Bron Afon, with the remaining 21 being privately owned.

Ms Neagle has said that she will write to all social landlords in Wales "reminding them of their responsibilities to leaseholders and the recent Leaseholder Valuation Tribunal decision".

Commenting from her office in Pontypool, Ms Neagle said: “I was really pleased that the minister agreed to meet with me and my constituent to discuss the range of problems affecting leaseholders in Torfaen. I’ve been involved with this issue over a number of years so it’s great to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“I felt the minister gave us a good hearing and was sympathetic to the plight of leaseholders who’ve been landed with huge bills for repairs and improvements that they simply cannot afford. I will be writing to leaseholders who’ve contacted me in the past to update them on this important development.”