British homebuyers must boycott flats with third-party managers

Another day, another person unable to sell their flat due to high service charges.

Of course in the comments it is revealed that the owners of the flats do not actually appoint the board that hires the managing agent, so of course the service charge is too high.

England simply to has to move away from the idea of unaccountability as the norm in residential service charges. Either we say there's to be a permanent underclass that is allowed to own a flat but not allowed any say about whether they should be ripped off on bills, or we do not. I say we do not.

I am at the point where I have to say that buyers should simply boycott all flats where there is no Right To Manage company (or legitimate Residents Management Company or commonhold in place). In parallel we should pressure the government for relief for those blocks where the management can't be brought under legitimate control. But to have the right to control but not exercise it, that is simply asking for a bounty from buyers. Either lower the asking price of your flat, or set up an RTM company.