Residents of Lisburn Square are advocating for a legal right to contest significant increases in property service charges, which have surged from £1,400 in 2018 to over £4,300 in the last financial year. They argue that the lack of transparency regarding these charges and the absence of specific legislation in Northern Ireland leave them vulnerable to unreasonable fees.
The call for reform comes as local assembly members and the Finance Minister acknowledge the need for better regulation of shared property management. Current proposals include potential changes to land law and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair practices for leaseholders.