Sam and Evangeline Thorn, both 33, find themselves trapped in their two-bedroom leasehold flat in Redhill, Surrey, due to an escalating service charge that has surged from £2,800 to £7,500 annually over seven years. The couple purchased the flat in 2018 for £245,000 and now want to move to a larger home to accommodate their growing family.
With one daughter and hopes for more children, the Thorns are financially prepared to buy a bigger property. However, their attempts to sell have been thwarted by potential buyers deterred by the steep service fees. Sam, an account manager, explains that although several people initially liked the flat, none proceeded with a second viewing after discovering the high service charges.
“The financial burden of £7,500 a year is tough, but what’s even harder is being unable to move forward with our lives,” Sam said. “We are ready to expand our family, but our living situation forces us to put everything on hold. Despite trying to sell even when the charges were lower, we haven’t been able to find a buyer.”
FirstPort, the management company responsible for the service charges, has responded by meeting residents and local MP Rebecca Paul to discuss the charges and their components, including the costly heat network. They claim to have improved transparency with clearer invoices and detailed cost breakdowns, as well as increased opportunities for residents to ask questions and provide feedback.
Nonetheless, for the Thorns, the steep and rising costs have not only created financial strain but have also effectively trapped them in their current home, halting their plans to grow their family and move forward.