0:00:00 > 0:00:00That's all from the BBC News at One - so it's goodbye from me -
0:00:00 > 0:00:12and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Welcome to BBC London News. news teams where you are.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19I'm Alpa Patel. news teams where you are.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24There are claims that Londoners are being "exploited" by landlords,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26who charge large maintenance fees - with no explanation - and
0:00:26 > 0:00:30fail to carry out essential work.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34One west London MP has branded the current
0:00:34 > 0:00:36system a "scandal" - and is calling for a
0:00:36 > 0:00:37parliamentary investigation.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Sonja Jessup has this report.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Look, he's sitting there, cleaning himself.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Oh, yeah.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46He is climbing.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50A very unwelcome guest at this Hounslow housing block.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Residents say they've been complaining to their landlord for
0:00:53 > 0:00:56three years about a rat infestation.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00So serious, these neighbours say, they are considering moving out.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02It's like you cannot sleep because the constant screeching
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and running around of the rats in the wall.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06You've got a list of your charges.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08It came as a shock, then, when some received bills
0:01:08 > 0:01:12for nearly £200 each.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14They suspected to tackle the rat problem.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18But say it's not clear what they're actually paying for.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20They've never said what it's for.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It just says it's a surcharge deficit.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26They are among an increasing number of Londoners who are complaining
0:01:26 > 0:01:28about service charges, fees paid by most leaseholders
0:01:28 > 0:01:32for maintaining communal areas.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35And, as more new flats rise up, legal experts
0:01:35 > 0:01:42say it's inevitable that so too will the number of disputes.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Some service charges add up to thousands of pounds per year.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47These are quite large sums of money now.
0:01:47 > 0:01:48They can be two, three, £4000,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50for relatively modest properties.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52We are not talking your One Hyde Parks.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55This MP has heard so many complaints she is calling for a parliamentary
0:01:55 > 0:01:57investigation into service charges across the country.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00I am very concerned that residents are being exploited and that this
0:02:00 > 0:02:02is little short of a scandal.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05We know that there is a huge need for affordable housing and models
0:02:05 > 0:02:09like shared ownership but I believe, it's a matter of great concern.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13She wants stronger legislation so residents are clear what charges
0:02:13 > 0:02:18are for what service to expect and a fair system to
0:02:18 > 0:02:21deal with complaints.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25The residents feel the charges are an unfair they can challenge
0:02:25 > 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 > 0:02:35She's tried to challenge service charges which she
0:02:35 > 0:02:39believes are unfair.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42She says she has sometimes received bills for hundreds of pounds,
0:02:42 > 0:02:43often with no explanation.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45When you open a bill, you just don't know...
0:02:45 > 0:02:46You start crying.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Sometimes, just cry.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Because just to think, what am I working for?
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Where'd you get the money from?
0:02:52 > 0:02:56They just increase the charges for whatever they want.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Her block is managed by the housing association a2dominion,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02the focus of many of the complaints to the local MP.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05In a statement, they told us...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08"We always aim to ensure our service charges are as clear
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and transparent as possible."
0:03:10 > 0:03:12"When a scheme requires major or cyclical works,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14such as repairs to the roof, we write to residents
0:03:14 > 0:03:16in advance to consult them."
0:03:16 > 0:03:19"We also offer payment support and advice."
0:03:19 > 0:03:22"We are sorry to hear that some of our residents have concerns
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and we are providing as much information and help as we can."
0:03:25 > 0:03:29"We would stress that a2dominion does not make any money from service
0:03:29 > 0:03:32charges but simply recovers the actual costs spent."
0:03:32 > 0:03:35A2dominion has also apologised for the ongoing
0:03:35 > 0:03:37problem with rats here.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40It says it has been working hard to tackle it and is now
0:03:40 > 0:03:44carrying out further works.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49It says the £200 builds its centre residents are not related but,
0:03:49 > 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 > 0:04:01Londoners like, are worried how far it will go and whether it
0:04:01 > 0:04:03will help people like them.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Sonja Jessup, BBC London News.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10The RSPCA say they have found six swans decapitated
0:04:10 > 0:04:12in parks in South London.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15A warning you may find this next picture distressing.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19The swans were found dead last month.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21The RSPCA have launched an investigation and patrols are now
0:04:21 > 0:04:24taking place at several parks.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27London's taxi industry is urging the Government
0:04:27 > 0:04:30to introduce national standards to better protect passengers.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33It's because currently taxi drivers who may have been
0:04:33 > 0:04:36refused licences in London, are still able to operate here,
0:04:36 > 0:04:43if they have a licence elsewhere in the country.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Now to twin brothers - who have been reunited for the first
0:04:46 > 0:04:49time, since they were born three months ago.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52It's after one of them Teddy, almost died because of a rare
0:04:52 > 0:04:54syndrome in the womb which starved him of nutrients.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57James Ingham has been to meet them.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03This is a big day for Joseph and Danielle,
0:05:03 > 0:05:04and their identical twin boys.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06They are taking Teddy home from hospital
0:05:06 > 0:05:09to be reunited with his brother, Ronnie.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10I'm scared.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11I'm very excited.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I never thought I'd see this day.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I was told so much in my pregnancy that he might not make it and it's
0:05:18 > 0:05:25just a miracle that he is here now.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Teddy and Ronnie had twin to twin transfusion syndrome.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30That meant that Ronnie got more than his share of blood
0:05:30 > 0:05:33and nutrients in the womb leaving Teddy with dangerously little.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34They were born premature.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35Ronnie weighed less than 3lbs.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38His brother half that.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43And so began Teddy's long hospital stay.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46After a final lesson with an oxygen tank that Teddy needs,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48it's time to say goodbye to the ward.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I'm walking around like a Cheshire Cat all day and
0:05:50 > 0:05:54to have them coming home finally, I never thought I'd see the day.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Here we are, boy.
0:05:58 > 0:06:05Ronnie and Teddy have only lain side by side for a few brief minutes.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Reuniting them is, well, exciting doesn't really cover it.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I cannot put this into words.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15This is amazing, isn't it?
0:06:15 > 0:06:19And that's because there is very strong chance that one or both
0:06:19 > 0:06:22of these twins would not survive.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25When their TTTS was discovered, mum and dad were told they could carry
0:06:25 > 0:06:29on with the pregnancy and possibly lose both twins or have
0:06:29 > 0:06:31surgery that would save one but could mean the other dying.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35I was devastated.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Because I didn't know anything about it.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41The reading that I'd done, a lot of it wasn't positive.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43So, it broke my heart.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46It's been an ordeal.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50But this couple have got through the worst
0:06:50 > 0:06:53and can now finally enjoy both their boys at home.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57James Ingham reporting.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Yesterday, we told you about the Cinema Museum in South London
0:07:00 > 0:07:02which is facing closure.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Well, Charlie Chaplin's family have written an open letter,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07asking for it to be saved.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09The museum is situated in a former Victorian workhouse and it's
0:07:09 > 0:07:13where Charlie Chaplin spent time as a child.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Today it's home to a vast collection of cinema memrobelia.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19But it's facing closure after the building's
0:07:19 > 0:07:22owners decided to sell.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25The letter has been signed by five of Chaplin's children.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28And finally to a large piece of fatberg -
0:07:28 > 0:07:32which is going on display at the Museum of London.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35When it was found - the fatberg weighed 130 tonnes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37It contains grease and sewage.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Only a small part of it is going on display -
0:07:40 > 0:07:50and is part of an exhibition looking at what Londoners flush away.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Sorry if you're eating your lunch.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Now the Weather with Kate Kinsella.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Now the Weather with Kate Kinsella.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Not feeling as desperately cold as yesterday but it's still not very
0:08:06 > 0:08:13warm. It's still rather damp, temperatures in positive numbers but
0:08:13 > 0:08:19rather gloomy. It stays damp, some wet weather, rather grey and pretty
0:08:19 > 0:08:24breezy, as well. All in all, not very pleasant. By the end of the
0:08:24 > 0:08:28afternoon, it will start to clear and we could see a little bit of
0:08:28 > 0:08:34sunshine by the time we get to the end of the day. Maximum temperature
0:08:34 > 0:08:38around six Celsius. Click to start with tonight and then a band of rain
0:08:38 > 0:08:44moving through. Perhaps a little bit wintry. Mostly rain. One or two
0:08:44 > 0:08:49showers to follow through. Getting quite chilly after that first band
0:08:49 > 0:08:54of rain clears through. We could see a little bit of ice potentially
0:08:54 > 0:09:00first thing tomorrow morning. Through Thursday, sunny spells,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04scattered showers, breezy at first but the wind light as we head
0:09:04 > 0:09:09through the course of the day. It is going to feel quite chilly with a
0:09:09 > 0:09:15maximum temperature of five or six Celsius. Through the weekend
0:09:15 > 0:09:22progressively colder. We pick up a northerly wind. Plenty of dry
0:09:22 > 0:09:23weather and some sunshine but it is
0:09:23 > 0:09:24weather and some sunshine but it is cold.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34That's it from us. Have a lovely afternoon. Goodbye for now.