Holocaust survivor may lose flat after row with landlord - The Jewish Chronicle

A Holocaust survivor has launched a crowdfunding campaign so that she can appeal a judgment over unpaid leaseholder charges that could leave her homeless. Agnes Kory, who lives in a three-bedroom flat at Frognal Court, Finchley Road, north west London, is facing legal costs of £40,000 after a lengthy legal battle with her landlord. The 74-year-old, who bought her flat in the 1970s for £10,000, said she challenged leaseholder charges totalling £2,468 four years ago when the landlord “failed to explain what they were for”. Since the challenge, she has been engaged in a legal fight with the landlord, Frognal Ground Rent, based in Grafton Road, Fitzrovia, which is pursuing her for legal costs. “I refused the £2,468 because — in spite of seeking clarification as to what this charge was for — clarification was not forthcoming. She claimed that during the last decade her flat has been allowed to deteriorate into a very poor condition as a result of neglect by the landlord. Ms Kory, who was born in Budapest during the Holocaust and went on to become the Royal Ballet’s principal cellist, represented herself in a tribunal with the landlord in July, but lost. She said that while the freeholder of her flat is Network Rail, Frognal Ground Rent Limited has been acting as the head leaseholder. Under the terms of most leases, the freeholder is entitled to recover costs when reclaiming servicing expenses. Ms Kory said: “My landlords and their legal team are teaching me and any other owner-occupier leaseholder wishing to question charges a cruel lesson: pay whatever we demand or lose your home. Ms Kory said: “They have made it very difficult for me to understand what is going on. They are difficult to get hold of, making it impossible for someone like me to fight back. Where would I get £40,000 to pay them?” The crowdfunding campaign to help her has raised more than £6,000 of her £20,000 target. Ms Kory, who is a music teacher and Holocaust researcher, said: “The legal costs of around £40,000 is eight times more than the amount judged against me and almost 20 times more than the amount I actually disputed and refused to pay.” Martin Kingsley, who was appointed as a manager of the estate by the court, said: “It is not true that Ms Kory was not told what the charges are for. It has been explained to her countless times and the tribunal ruled that the charges are correct.” Mr Kingsley also refuted the accusation that the flat had been left to deteriorate by the landlord. Ms Kory’s page is at www.gofundme.com/agness-fight-for-justice