What extra expense is there with buying a flat?

[sneezecakesmum]

I'm thinking ground rent (whatever that is). Building upkeep?

Its a 2 bed flat in a building with maybe 3 other flats. No shared stairs etc. All self contained.

Service charges for communal work (that might not benefit you). Block buildings insurance (usually more expensive than insurance on equivalent size house). Freeholder can charge a management fee on any work carried out. A lease will always be decreasing so you may have to extend it at some point - even if you do that before 80 years when you start paying charge to extend it, you will still have solicitor's fees etc. Freeholders can be utter twunts and make life very difficult for any minor incursions of the lease - it costs money to fight these.

If there is a right to manage company within the block or you can set one up, you could save yourself a lot of time, money and hassle.

What SmallPeople said.

Extra charges just go up every year, for little actual benefit.

We lived in a flat (converted building) where we owned a share in the management company. No ridiculous expense other than insurance and fire alarms, but you do need to get on with your neighbours.

I've always preferred to live in flats.

Yes you do get services charges but I find some of these make life so much more convenient, e.g. a concierge service which takes in parcels/makes the building more secure, grounds cleaner, buildings maintenance, lift service. You don't have to pay the full whack of things like repairs like you would with a house, and fuel bills tend to be lower as you benefit from heating from the neighbouring flats.

Ground rent is generally low, service charges have been the main cost for me. I've never been concerned about the leasehold cost, have always looked at flats which have a long lease and moved before it became an issue.