Broken Street Lights Highlight Urgent Need to Crack Down on ‘Fleeceholds’
Thursday, February 26, 2026
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A Gloucestershire homeowner has spoken out against the ongoing issue of “fleeceholds” after broken street lights on his estate remained unrepaired for months. The situation has reignited calls for government action to tackle what many see as an unfair system burdening homeowners.
“Fleeceholds” refer to arrangements where residents pay estate management fees to private companies for upkeep of communal areas like roads, lighting, and green spaces. Many homeowners view these charges as a hidden second tax that adds substantial costs to owning a home, with limited transparency and few rights to dispute the fees.