0:00:00 > 0:00:00memorial service with my colleage Mishal Hussain.
0:00:00 > 0:00:01That's all for tonight.
0:00:01 > 0:00:01Now on BBC One, it's time for the news where you are.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Good evening.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14I'm Claudia-Liza Armah.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16There are claims tonight that homeowners are being exploited,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18paying extortionate service charges to maintain their buildings for work
0:00:18 > 0:00:21that isn't even carried out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23We've heard from some Londoners who say they're paying
0:00:23 > 0:00:25thousands of pounds a year.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28One MP says the complaints in her constituency are mounting up
0:00:28 > 0:00:31and she's now calling for a parliamentary investigation.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Sonja Jessup reports.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Look, he's sitting there, cleaning himself.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Oh, yeah.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42He is climbing.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45A very unwelcome guest at this Hounslow housing block.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Residents say they've been complaining to their landlord for
0:00:47 > 0:00:49three years about a rat infestation.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54So serious, these neighbours say, they are considering moving out.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56It's like you cannot sleep because the constant screeching
0:00:56 > 0:00:59and running around of the rats in the wall.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01You've got a list of your charges.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04It came as a shock, then, when some received bills
0:01:04 > 0:01:05for nearly £200 each.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09They suspected to tackle the rat problem.
0:01:09 > 0:01:15But say it's not clear what they're actually paying for.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16They've never said what it's for.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18It just says it's a surcharge deficit.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21They are among an increasing number of Londoners who are complaining
0:01:21 > 0:01:23about service charges, fees paid by most leaseholders
0:01:23 > 0:01:29for maintaining communal areas.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And, as more new flats rise up, legal experts say it's
0:01:31 > 0:01:33inevitable that so too will the number of disputes.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Some service charges add up to thousands of pounds per year.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39These are quite large sums of money now.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42They can be two, three, £4000, for relatively modest properties.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47We are not talking your One Hyde Parks.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50This MP has heard so many complaints she is calling for a parliamentary
0:01:50 > 0:01:53investigation into service charges across the country.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56I am very concerned that residents are being exploited and that this
0:01:56 > 0:02:00is little short of a scandal.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03We know that there is a huge need for affordable housing and models
0:02:03 > 0:02:07like shared ownership but I believe, it's a matter of great concern.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09She wants stronger legislation so residents are clear what charges
0:02:09 > 0:02:12are for what service to expect and a fair system to
0:02:12 > 0:02:22deal with complaints.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26If residents feel the charges are unfair they can challenge
0:02:26 > 0:02:29them in court but that can be a complex and costly process.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31That's something Pamela Rose and her neighbours discovered.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33She's tried to challenge service charges which she
0:02:33 > 0:02:34believes are unfair.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36She says she has sometimes received bills for hundreds of pounds,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39often with no explanation.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41When you open a bill, you just don't know...
0:02:41 > 0:02:42You start crying.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43Sometimes, just cry.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Because just to think, what am I working for?
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Where'd you get the money from?
0:02:47 > 0:02:51They just increase the charges for whatever they want.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57Her block is managed by the housing association a2dominion,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00the focus of many of the complaints to the local MP.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01In a statement, they told us...
0:03:01 > 0:03:04"We always aim to ensure our service charges are as clear
0:03:04 > 0:03:09and transparent as possible."
0:03:09 > 0:03:11"When a scheme requires major or cyclical works,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14such as repairs to the roof, we write to residents
0:03:14 > 0:03:15in advance to consult them."
0:03:15 > 0:03:17"We also offer payment support and advice."
0:03:17 > 0:03:20"We are sorry to hear that some of our residents have concerns
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and we are providing as much information and help as we can."
0:03:31 > 0:03:33A2dominion has also apologised for the ongoing
0:03:33 > 0:03:34problem with rats here.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37It says it has been working hard to tackle it and is now
0:03:37 > 0:03:47carrying out further works.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50It says the £200 bill sent to residents are not related but,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52so far, has been unable to tell us what they are for.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55The government has just carried out a consultation on service charges.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59It's thought the law could be changed in future.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Londoners like Pamela are worried how far it will go and whether it
0:04:02 > 0:04:04will help people like them.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05Sonja Jessup, BBC London News.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Tomorrow marks six months since the Grenfell fire,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and a memorial service is being held at St Paul's Cathedral to remember
0:04:11 > 0:04:13the 71 people who lost their lives.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15Among those attending is Clarrie Mendy, whose daughter
0:04:15 > 0:04:19and cousin lived on the 20th floor and died in the tragedy.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22She's been talking to Helen Drew about how she continues
0:04:22 > 0:04:24to fight for justice.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Mary Mendy and Khadija Saye, the mother and daughter who died
0:04:27 > 0:04:32trying to escape from their flat on Grenfell's 20th floor.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Six months on, Mary's cousin pays tribute to them.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38They were inseparable.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40When you saw one, you saw the other.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41They was very close.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Quiet, caring.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Their personalities were just...
0:04:46 > 0:04:48They shone.
0:04:48 > 0:04:5024-year-old Khadija was a rising artist, becoming recognised
0:04:50 > 0:04:53on the world stage.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Earlier this year the BBC filmed in her Grenfell flat,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59which doubled up as her art studio.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00Back in central London, 24-year-old photographer
0:05:00 > 0:05:05Khadija Saye is here with her mum.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Both my parents are from Gambia, and my mother is Christian
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and my father is Muslim, and it's one of the first times I've
0:05:11 > 0:05:19been able to explore it through my photography.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21And she recently featured in a Venice exhibition.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It's not every day an artist makes their Venice debut.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27They look amazing on the wall, they really do.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Are you happy?
0:05:28 > 0:05:29Yeah, extremely happy.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32It's real now.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The saddest thing about it, you know, she was asked "Where do
0:05:35 > 0:05:38you see yourself in ten years?"
0:05:38 > 0:05:44And to think not even ten days later she is cut...
0:05:44 > 0:05:48She's worked so hard, the world was just becoming her oyster,
0:05:48 > 0:05:55and to be cut down in your prime like that is...
0:05:55 > 0:05:58What Clarrie wants now is justice for her family.
0:05:58 > 0:06:08Every grain of sand needs to be unturned.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13So as long as we get it right, yeah, let's do the job.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Meanwhile, the head of the Metropolitan Police has made
0:06:15 > 0:06:19it clear again today that relatives hoping for quick answers
0:06:19 > 0:06:22to what happened at Grenfell Tower are likely to be disappointed.
0:06:22 > 0:06:30With more on this, Chris Rogers joins me now.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34This is Cressida Dick making it abundantly clear that the criminal
0:06:34 > 0:06:39investigation will be painstakingly slow?When she explained why. Her
0:06:39 > 0:06:43officers, 200, 400 at its peak, are sifting through tonnes of debris,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46thousands of files of evidence and interviewing hundreds of people --
0:06:46 > 0:06:54thousands of people. This will have to be done before they feel they can
0:06:54 > 0:06:58deliver any sort of conclusion. It could be 2019 on many more years.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02She is asking for more money from the Government to do a better job.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06She explained why it will be a painstakingly slow investigation.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09This will be a very significant, very important matter
0:07:09 > 0:07:13for the Metropolitan Police for many, many, many months to come.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Indeed, I would be astonished if we were finishing the criminal
0:07:16 > 0:07:18investigation within 12 months.
0:07:18 > 0:07:27I am sure it will be much more than that.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32Of course, families of victims are desperate for answers a lot sooner
0:07:32 > 0:07:36than 2019 and beyond. The focus will be very much on them tomorrow with
0:07:36 > 0:07:41that memorial service for the 71 people who died at St Paul's
0:07:41 > 0:07:46Cathedral. It is a national tragedy, so that service will be broadcast on
0:07:46 > 0:07:50BBC One at 10:30am.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Now, we've had the walkie talkie, the cheese grater, and now
0:07:53 > 0:07:56the latest building to grace the capital is the the Glass Cube.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59With a price tag of around £750 million the US Embassy could be
0:07:59 > 0:08:01the most expensive embassy building in the world.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Well, with its new home by the Thames, security
0:08:03 > 0:08:06is a top priority, as Tolu Adeoye found out.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08It is a striking building, said to signify transparency,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12openness and equality.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17The new American Embassy in London has been ten years in the making.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19This has been one of those projects that begins with the Bush
0:08:19 > 0:08:23administration and approved then, and starts design and construction
0:08:23 > 0:08:27during the Obama administration and is completed during the Trump
0:08:27 > 0:08:30administration, but it's a building designed for 60 to 100 years,
0:08:30 > 0:08:36and it's going to probably transcend maybe even ten presidencies.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Developing the site has cost $1 billion.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Once it opens, 800 members of staff will be based here and there will be
0:08:42 > 0:08:45around 1000 visitors daily.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The security of the building is, of course, a top priority.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Well, clearly they've spent $1 billion on this building,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56so you would expect bombproof glass, bullet-proof glass, all those usual
0:08:56 > 0:09:00features that would be considered.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03The old embassy was effectively within ten metres of roads,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06it had a large public area in front, so it was very difficult to defend
0:09:06 > 0:09:07in terms of counterterrorism.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11This building is effectively an island site, so through excellent
0:09:11 > 0:09:12use of architecture they've distanced the building
0:09:12 > 0:09:15from the threat.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17You won't be able to approach this building at speed.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Out front there's the lake, there's bollards, so this
0:09:19 > 0:09:24is going to be a very hard building to target if you were a terrorist.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25The embassy will be operational from January,
0:09:25 > 0:09:29but what of the ceremonial opening?
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Do you hope President Trump will be here to open the building in person?
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Yes I do hope it, and we're going to welcome him when he comes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39No...
0:09:39 > 0:09:40No...
0:09:40 > 0:09:41No date set.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44So we will have to wait to find out whether the president will be
0:09:44 > 0:09:47here in person to open what has been described as the centrepiece
0:09:47 > 0:09:49of America's long-term commitment to our country.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57That's it for now from me, but let's find out what the weather's up
0:09:57 > 0:09:57That's it for now from me, but let's find out what the weather's up
0:09:57 > 0:10:02to with Stav Danaos.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Thanks very much. We have a few showers around this thing tonight, a
0:10:06 > 0:10:09little bit of winteriness over higher ground. The showers should
0:10:09 > 0:10:13begin to ease towards the second part of the night and will be quite
0:10:13 > 0:10:19breezy, stopping a frost developing. Those in the City around two or
0:10:19 > 0:10:21three. Tomorrow starts chilly, there should
0:10:21 > 0:10:24be good spells of sunshine through the day and a mixture of showers as
0:10:24 > 0:10:29well. It will be quite windy, blustery day. The wind 's strongest
0:10:29 > 0:10:36across southern and western areas where some will move through
0:10:36 > 0:10:39proposed... Most places should stay try, cooler than today, temperatures
0:10:39 > 0:10:43of around six at best. Things set to turn colder by Friday,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47the low-pressure opens the floodgates to the north. Quite a
0:10:47 > 0:10:52quiet, calm day on Friday. No showers around, quite a bit of cloud
0:10:52 > 0:10:56through the morning, we should seek sunshine pushing towards the north,
0:10:56 > 0:11:01top temperatures five or six. As we head into the weekend it is a
0:11:01 > 0:11:03cold start to Saturday, things