| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:High service charges compared to the brochure at Barratt's Great West Quarter. | |
| Posted by: | Michael Brandt | |
| Date/Time: | 16/03/13 13:56:00 |
| This is not uncommon anywhere. Even 'affordable' flats which is a byword for inferior build have charges which on top of mortgage costs and even shared ownership rents makes living in a leasehold apartment a far from prudent option. In fact, low cost shared ownership via a housing association might be a foot on the ladder but a very costly one. If these charges were justified then the same charges would be incurred by council tenants living in flats. Well run council property services are often just as good if not better. Planning conditions and policies need radical changes and brave councillors and officers to get to grips with this kind of stuff. Parking, services and charges all need to be part of an application and set in stone. and if it's not acceptable, refuse permission. The whole thing has become an over politicised and capitalistic orgy. The trouble is that councils have too many links with developers and their PR and lobbying activities. Way too many councillors have career links to these sorts of companies with ultimately conflict with planning and developing interests and the interests of residents. This muddies the water and calls into question some ethics and where loyalties lie. But the losers are are ordinary people trying to find an affordable home while money is made out of all the spin and guff and hopeless solutions. |