RESIDENTS in a retirement housing complex built in 1974 have been 'enjoying' free electricity for years according to the council.

The discovery was made during the recent modernisation and improvement works which included new electrical supplies at Woodhall Flats, Darfield.

Residents will now have to find the extra money to pay for electricity, which due to the council's oversight was not in their original contract. Tenants paid a set amount of rent per month which included water, heating, gas and electricity.

Residents were made aware of the new changes when they received a letter explaining the mistake but were reassured that they could choose their own electricity provider.

A relative of one tenant said: "My mother has been there only three years but there are older people who have been there much longer. The council has made a huge error and are now asking elderly people to foot the bill."

A Berneslai Homes spokesman said the rent had included electricity when the homes were built but that it became apparent during recent improvements that the rental charge made for the flats had not included electricity for many years. He said it was not possible to say how much money had been spent on electricity for each individual flat but the council's housing revenue budget had been covering it.