To ask if anyone has a freehold flat?

I've owned two freehold flats in my time and they've been relatively hassle free. It all depends on 1. how good your management company is and 2. how involved and committed other freeholders are. Both flats were part of a large development about 120-150 properties in each. We had quarterly meetings where we decided on budget, repairs etc. and there was an annual meeting where the management company gave us briefing about how they spent our money and outlined plans for the following year.
We did not have a whatsapp group - I couldn't possibly cope with that.

I also rented a flat which wash freehold in a small development of 12 flats and they had a very involved manager who lived on site so he, along with his wife who was a secretary, managed the affairs without having to outsource it to the external company. As a tenant, it was slightly intimidating but the building ran like clockwork.

Hi OP. I own a flat with a share of freehold.

We are a relatively large development so we have hired a management company to run the day to day business and are lucky that a few motivated owners are willing to put a lot the of work in. In terms of engagement- there is a WhatsApp group, an AGM and occasionally decisions to take.

In terms of costs, my service charge is lower than yours is. Major works costs can come at any time with the right notice being given, we will shortly have to stump up a few £k to meet the latest regs on fire doors. However, this can happen whoever your freeholder is- legally they can pass on any costs like this to the leaseholders.

A problem with absentee freeholders is that they may not bother with maintenance works like this- great in the short term if you don't want to spend money, but in the medium term it can make the flat very difficult to mortgage and therefore sell. This has happened to a friend of ours who is renting out a flat which is essentially unsellable until the freeholder sorts out the right maintenance and paperwork. In their case they at least make a comfortable profit on the rent, but it's far from ideal.

We own share of freehold. We pay £1500 per year for management fees, and the owners sit on the board of directors. Everytime someone purchases the freehold we receive a small amount of money each, so it’s worth it IMO.

There is the rub, it gives you more control but also more work and you have got to get in with your neighbours too.

I think freehold is a really good idea for smaller developments. Daughter is currently going through purchase of management and freehold of her block, but is in a block of only 8 in an Victorian conversion. It will add value, and is much less hassle.