How to Buy a Flat: All You Need to Know About Apartment Living and Letting (repost)

Buying a flat to live in or to let is different from buying and living in a house. For example, apartments are sold leasehold rather than freehold which means you buy a length of tenure rather than the property itself. This can have serious implications when the freeholder suddenly hikes up the service charges or lands you with a six figure sum for exterior decoration. And more quarrels and lawsuits arise among flat dwellers than with any other type of housing.