Charges levied on residents as part of a programme of bringing digital television to social housing are “unfair”, residents have claimed.

Merton Priory Homes (MPH), the non-profit company which manages Merton’s ex-council houses, is charging each of its residents more than £400 to replace their analogue aerials as part of the digital TV switchover, which must be completed this year.

Jacqui Mason, who lives in Farnham Gardens, Raynes Park, said the £60 administration charge, which is being asked for from all residents in her estate, in addition to the £357 for the installation works, was “unjust”.

She said: “I was amazed when we were told that we, and everyone else living in my block, would have to pay £60 for an administrative charge as well as £350 for the cost of a new roof and aerial.

“There are maybe 600 flats on my estate, so we’re talking a total charge of about £40,000, which is a 16 per cent increase in our bills. That can’t be right.”

Ms Mason said she was already charged £80 a month for service charges for her flat, and claimed Vinci, the company carrying out the replacement of the roofs and installation of the aerials, should bear the new administration costs itself.

On the other side of the borough, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh said she would organise an advice session for residents on the Cherry Tree estate in Mitcham, after they complained to her about the charges for the new roofs.

Ms McDonagh said: “My concern is more about the fact that residents are being given a maximum time of two years to pay for this service, especially when people are struggling in tough times.

“Nobody living outside of MPH accommodation would repay the cost of replacing their roof in two years, so why are they being asked to now?”

Pauline Ford, managing director of MPH, said: “In preparation for the digital TV switchover we are upgrading TV aerials in homes where we already provide a communal television aerial.

"This will affect around a quarter of MPH homes and will allow residents the option to access digital and satellite TV and radio channels.

“We promised to provide better living standards and services to our residents when we took over the homes from the council.

"Administration costs apply to all schemes. The charges for the TV switchover programme are estimated and we will be contacting residents about the actual costs.”

How much have you or would you pay for a new digital aerial? Leave a comment below or contact Omar by calling 020 8722 6335; tweeting @OmarOakes or emailing: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.