Bristol leaseholders say they feel "exploited" by "extortionate" fees
Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer has submitted a new report
People living in leasehold flats in Bristol have reported "extortionate" service charges and "bullying" from property management companies.
Though leaseholders own a property for a fixed period, occupiers are still required to pay a service charge to cover the upkeep of shared areas in their building.
In a new report being published by Green MPs Carla Denyer and Sian Berry, Bristol residents say they feel exploited by the system:
"Since the very beginning, it felt like it was the landlord's right to milk me and my neighbours for everything they can get out of us," said Mike Traynor, a leaseholder from St Pauls.
"One example is a small fence erected in the front garden. We were charged £1,200 for this. A good friend of mine erects fences professionally. He told me it would've been no more than half a day's work, and he would've felt cheeky charging £300, including materials.
"The truth is we're all busy people with busy lives, careers, families.
"Being in constant battle with an organisation that just wants to take your money and extract as much cash out of you as possible is exhausting," Mr Traynor added.
The report details the experiences of their constituents living in leasehold properties, including poor service and treatment at the hands of management companies, and difficulty in selling up.
“I have heard absolute horror stories from some of my constituents about their experiences of living in leasehold flats," said Carla Denyer MP.
"They are being held to ransom by property management companies charging extortionate and constantly rising fees, with no transparency about how that money is being spent.
“It’s clear that the feudal leasehold system needs to be abolished as soon as possible, and action is needed from government to protect those who are already living in leasehold homes and suffering hugely as a result."
The government has already promised major reforms to the leasehold system.
New measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 include enforced service charge documentation, which will spell out clear and detailed information about how service charges are calculated and spent.
This will make it easier for them to challenge unreasonable bills and potentially save money where expenses are unjustified.
Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:
“The cost of living remains a pressing concern for leaseholders and many are struggling financially as a result of high and rising service charges, and other opaque and excessive leasehold costs.
“This bold package of reforms will arm leaseholders with greater rights and protections and empower them to challenge poor practice and unreasonable charges and fees – driving up leaseholder living standards as we work to bring the feudal leasehold system to an end as part of our Plan for Change.”