Ian Austin is campaigning to prevent homeowners being hit with extortionate management fees.

The Dudley MP is backing the campaign after being contacted by residents of new houses and flats who are being charged “management fees” for amenities or common areas by the builders of their homes or property management companies who have bought the freeholds.
 
But individual homeowners currently have no right to know where their money is being spent nor rights to enforce action when breaches of the scheme occur. Mr Austin is supporting a House of Commons motion which would require landlords to provide accounts of management charges to freehold property owners.
 
This would require landlords to provide accounts of management charges and therefore create greater transparency and accountability. Mr Austin said:
 
“It’s shocking that freehold property owners are not able to know where their money is going. I’ve heard from lots of people in Dudley who are being ripped off by these charges.
 
“That’s why I am supporting a motion which would require landlords to provide accounts of management charges to freehold property owners.”