Two firms at controversial Norwich flats are being chased for £110,000 in unpaid bills

60 St Faith's Lane in Norwich. Photo: Archant (Image: Archant)

The 47-room apartment block at 60 St Faith's Lane off Prince of Wales Road has been in the headlines with tenants complaining about deposits not being returned.

Tenants have also complained about mould and not being able to register to vote while living there.

A company called Max Estates Ltd, whose name is on lease agreements with tenants at the Norwich flats, and a company called Sutton Management Services Ltd, whose name is on invoices to tradesmen, owe around £113,000 to creditors according to County Court Judgements (CCJs).

Both companies are owned by London property developer Nick Sutton and his wife Ayse. Mr Sutton is the sole director of both companies, according to Companies House.

When firms or people claim they are owed money by someone else they can go to court to get a CCJ which requires the debtor to pay the money back.

Since February 2016, 53 CCJs have been taken out against Max Estates by claimants saying they are owed a total of £53,625. Of the 35 claims just two have been paid, meaning more than £51,000 is owed by Max Estates.

See also: Why approving this development of 41 new flats means Norwich council has missed out on nearly £600,000Sutton Management Services, meanwhile, owes just under £60,000 through 12 unpaid CCJs, stretching back to mid 2014.

Norwich electrician Luke James, of L&M Electrical, said he had got a debt enforcement company to chase up close to £1,500 in unpaid fees for electrical work he did at the apartment block off Prince of Wales Road earlier this year.

Mr James said he dealt with both companies during the work and was chasing Sutton Management Services for the cash.

He said he had been asked in late April to carry out electrical repairs to the communal area in the basement of the building.

After completing the work he said he was asked to test the electrics of all the flats in the building. After taking advice, he refused until he was paid.

He was paid just over £500 by Sutton Management, but said he is still owed around £1,500 for the work, six months later.

'Without paying they wanted me to carry on with the rest of the property which had been half done,' he said.

He said he has spent around £800 on materials for the job and had to use his emergency pot of funds to get by.

'The problem I have is there is no contact,' he said. 'I have tried calling and texting. My father-in-law has even tried posing as someone else to try to get hold of them. All I have is one number.'

He said he considered there was 'zero chance' of him getting his money back.

'When you have got a small company taking a hit like that it really knocks you for six,' he said.

Max Estates and Sutton Management Services have been contacted for comment.