'I sold my flat because of high maintenance fees'

A BBC News investigation found that leaseholders have had to pay hundreds of pounds for services such as key-cutting and cleaning doormats

Unaffordable maintenance fees are the reason a man sold his flat in Bromsgrove - after receiving bailiff letters when he refused to pay for "ridiculous" service charges.

Nick West called for proper regulation of "phenomenal" amounts charged for gardening and decorating, in a building with no garden or decorating carried out.

A BBC News investigation found that leaseholders have had to pay hundreds of pounds for services such as key-cutting and cleaning doormats or council bins.

The leasehold system allows millions to own the right to use their property for a period of time, but they still pay annual ground rent to the freeholder on top of separate service charges.

Mr West told BBC Hereford & Worcester that when he was in the process of selling his flat, many pulled out after seeing the extra charges.

"Every time someone came to look at it and thought what a wonderful place - and I told them they had to pay fees on top they turned around and said it was too expensive," he said.

"When you put those fees on top of your mortgage or rent, it blows it out the park."

"They're charging ridiculous fees for painting and gardening. It pushes the fees right up and makes it unaffordable.

"It's horrible, you'd get a bill one month for your ground rent and then the maintenance fees would come through. I'd get charged a decorating fee - but I'd never seen a decorator in the place.

"We were getting charged for gardening for and there was no garden", he said.

Mr West challenged the service charges multiple times but said he was "pushed aside".

"If you didn't pay it, you'd get a letter through the door saying the bailiffs were coming."

Leasehold property owners pay a service charge to their building’s freeholder or landlord.

A management agent is usually contracted to maintain communal services such as cleaning, repairs and insurance.

There is no cap on these charges and paying them is usually a condition of the lease.

Speaking on what would help fix the issue, he added: "You need proper regulation and proper fees for properties that work."

The government has promised to reform the leasehold system before the next election, although campaigners questioned whether the changes would do enough for existing leaseholders.