EXPENSIVE ground rent charges have hit Huddersfield again - in spite of promises that they would be halted.

The company Estates and Management is coming under new fire 12 months after promising reforms.

It collects ground rents from thousands of Huddersfield homes.

Last year it was criticised for issuing penalty notices with late payment charges added on, without previous written reminders.

Now London-based Estates and Management is in trouble again.

Upset Edgerton resident Pamela Hawkins pays £3 ground rent every year, but she recently received a £20 bill in administration fees.

She said: "They're still sending me a letter for the money they wanted us to pay last year!

"I feel a bit desperate really. My brother says just ignore it, but on the other hand I don't think they can do anything about it.

"But it's worrying, very worrying, particularly when you're elderly and things are not very easy to do."

A spokesman for Estates and Management said: "We can confirm that Miss Hawkins has not been charged any administration costs.

"While we have already made this clear to Miss Hawkins we have also sent her a bouquet of flowers by way of apology for any confusion."

Freeholds for thousands of properties in Huddersfield are held by Estates and Management after being sold by Kirklees Council in 1994 and 1996.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman met company bosses last year to discuss complaints from constituents over their bills.