A married couple from Redhill, Surrey, say they are unable to sell their two-bedroom leasehold flat after service charges soared from £2,800 to £7,500 per year. Sam and Evangeline Thorn purchased the property in 2018 for £245,000, but despite reducing the asking price to £220,000—below what they paid—no buyers have emerged.
The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, are desperate to move to a larger home to start a second child. However, they claim potential buyers are put off by the high service charge, which has risen by 167% over seven years. Sam Thorn, an account manager, said: 'Every single person that liked it, when they were then made aware of the service charge cost... they just weren't interested.'
The flat is part of the 18-year-old Park25 development managed by FirstPort. The development uses a communal heat network, which accounts for 51% of the service charge. Sam said even without energy costs, the remaining £4,000 bill for maintenance is unaffordable. He added: 'They’re supposed to be looking after people’s properties, but what they’re actually doing is ruining peoples’ lives.'
FirstPort acknowledged the heat network is becoming inefficient due to aging components and rising biomass fuel costs. A spokesperson said: 'These cost pressures are outside of our control.' The firm has secured a government grant to investigate improvements, including recycling waste heat from a neighbouring data centre, and has met with residents and local MP Rebecca Paul.
