"This is happening because local authorities are shirking their responsibility to take these estates in charge whereby they provide services as part of their statutory public service obligation, " she said. "In many cases management fees are neither reasonable nor transparent.

Such new practices are putting further financial pressure and uncertainty on new house owners already burdened by rising interest rates and mortgage payments, higher childcare costs and massive increases in fuel and commuting costs."

Cawley highlighted the fact that many so-called management companies in new estates, which levy these fees, are often associated with the original developer, do not behave in a transparent manner and are neither accountable to the residents nor take responsibility for the quality of the work carried out.

"County councils must face up to their responsibilities and start providing basic services like grass cutting and road maintenance to all residents as it is their entitlement under law.

Management fees are an outrageous and unacceptable tax on new householders and need reform."