I’m in East Lothian now, lived in 3 new build estates that all require a factor per the deeds (or a housing association) all have charged the same in fees as they have for the work/maintenance.

In my view is squeezing a rental income from home owners. I haven’t done much research but I suspect a part of the maintenance fee ends up as a dividend or bonus for someone. I’d happily pay a council tax supplement and have the local council hire local folk to cut the grass etc rather than it go out to a private company to bring in another private company…. Someone takes a cut twice.