Volunteer-run community groups and sporting clubs are facing bills of up to $60,000 because their western suburbs council landlord failed to charge them for utilities or insurance for up to seven years.

The Town of Mosman Park has written to 11 community groups and clubs that lease facilities seeking back pay for various services, despite not having previously issued an invoice for the unpaid fees.

For some clubs, the amount owed means they would have to close if forced to pay.

Clubs contacted by The West Australian said they believed there was either an official waiver of the fees by the Town or an unofficial tacit agreement that the clubs would not be billed for some services such as water or building insurance.

That belief was fuelled by the fact they never received an invoice.

The affected clubs include cricket, tennis, canoe and soccer clubs, the local men’s shed and the Mosman Park Arts Foundation.

For MosArts, which runs the popular Camelot Outdoor Cinema as well as other community activities, chairman Paul Avon-Smith said the $60,000 bill for services not previously invoiced going back seven years, it would mean closure.

“We only heard about this late last year and we believe the Town had waived these hefty charges some years ago,” he said.

“Our building is heritage-listed and already expensive to maintain.

“MosArts has paid all current invoices to the council and continues to meet its obligations but as a not-for-profit community organisation we cannot afford to pay large unexpected sums from so long ago.

“We understand that the Town’s pursuit of large retrospective bills has put nearly all the local community groups and sporting clubs in Mosman Park in a similar position.”

The West Australian understands the Swan Canoe Club faces a $14,800 bill for utilities dating back to 2010, while for the Western Knights Soccer Club the figure is close to $50,000.

Mosman Park mayor Brett Pollock said the Town’s financial position had prompted the council to ask the administration to review expenditure and support for local clubs.

He said there had been only one official waiver of club fees but conceded some invoices had never been sent.

“The Town has decided to see how much is owed going back seven years, however, no decision has been made by council as to the total amount of reimbursement it would seek from the clubs and these decisions will be considered in the light of the clubs’ response, based on the financial position and viability of each club,” Mr Pollock said.

“The review has shown that historically there were some invoices that were not issued, which is why the Town has been negotiating with each club individually.”