Leaseholders will soon have stronger rights to challenge service charges without fear of being saddled with legal costs.
Jessica Toale, the Labour MP for Bournemouth West, welcomed the changes, which are part of new government measures and start to come into effect on April 1, 2027.
From this date, more than three million leaseholders will be able to request detailed information about service charges, including past charges, and landlords will need a good reason to refuse.
Ms Toale said: "I regularly hear from leaseholders in Bournemouth and Poole who have seen major hikes in their service charge bills but can't get a straight answer about what they are paying for.
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"Many are frustrated that when they challenge a bill, they are either stonewalled or end up paying more.
"These new rights mean people can see where their money is going and question a charge without the fear of being landed with their landlord's legal costs."
Under the new rules, landlords will need court or tribunal approval before passing legal costs on to leaseholders.
Leaseholders will also gain the right to claim back their own legal expenses.
The changes form part of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
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