Britons are becoming increasingly wary of buying leasehold flats.
They are taking months longer to sell than freehold properties and are around five times more likely to sell at a loss.
Tales of homeowners being held to ransom by freeholders and managing agents via ever-increasing service charges, ground rents, hidden insurance commissions and inflated quotes for repairs are making buyers think again.
As a result, many first-time buyers are skipping flats altogether and opting for houses.
But for all the negativity around leasehold flats, they typically offer the cheapest route onto the property ladder.
