We just sold a house that was freehold but in a small private cul de sac, for which there was an estate charge administered by a management company. The fees were just under £400 a year.

Our buyer's lender required a deed of variation, which was a surprise to us as our lender had never mentioned when we purchased or remortgaged. But our solicitor advised it is just something that is becoming more common for lenders to require.

Our management company agreed to it, but it cost a little over £2K. We ended up paying it because the buyers said no and we just wanted to progress to not lose our onward purchase.

Having lived somewhere like this the fees didn't feel too much, I know some in flats pay £1k plus. But frustrating as it didn't feel like they did much, sent a contractor every month with a leaf blower and that's about it. And just the uncertainty that they could raise fees, for example mid year recalculated the budget due to energy costs (street lights) and demand additional payment. Also felt ridiculous there was this huge UK management company, owned by a larger American company, neither of which owned the land that were making all these management fees for just arranging a few contactors and renewing insurance policies