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.
Tarran Wilson, a resident of Cooper’s Edge near Gloucester, is leading calls for reform. “We are freeholders, not leaseholders, but still forced to pay these charges—effectively double council tax—with no clear end in sight,” he said.
Wilson criticized the management company Gateway for slow repairs and poor service. “It’s extremely frustrating that a broken street light goes unrepaired for nearly eight weeks. We’ve never seen proper inspections, and when we ask for evidence of maintenance, all we get are invoices. Some contractors have even been seen arriving, taking a photo from inside their van, and leaving without performing any work.”
Gateway responded, saying they manage the development according to agreed obligations and that similar arrangements are common in freehold estates. They explained that the broken street light issue, first reported in December 2025, took time to resolve due to verifying responsibility, securing quotes, and delays from the festive period, contractor availability, and poor weather. Repairs began in February, with one lighting column restored and further issues referred to utility providers. Gateway also said regular maintenance inspections and health and safety assessments are routinely carried out, with photographic proof required before approving contractor invoices.
County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, representing the North Cotswolds, has intensified his campaign against unfair “fleecehold” charges after hearing from residents in Cooper’s Edge and Bourton. He criticized the Government’s forthcoming Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act as insufficient, especially for freeholders.
“Homeowners are forced to pay hundreds annually to distant management firms with little transparency, yet basic services like lighting and green spaces remain neglected,” Hodgkinson said.
He pointed out that while the bill offers a “right to manage” for freeholders, the process is legally complex and places the burden of setting up a company on residents. Crucially, this right cannot be exercised until developers formally transfer the land—something they are not currently obliged to do.
“In communities like Cooper’s Edge, residents remain powerless, waiting on developers to hand over control,” Hodgkinson added. “Without mandatory land transfer, these rights are meaningless.”
The Government maintains it is committed to addressing the problem. Two consultations are currently open—one on enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates, and another aimed at reducing private estate management arrangements and unjustified service charges. Both close on March 12.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We are firmly dedicated to ending the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ and the unfair charges too many face. We encourage everyone impacted to participate in the consultations.”