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The problem seems to have been most prevalent in areas where there are (or were) rentcharges, which will cease to exist in 10 years' time - the escalating ground rent formula seems to have been an attempt to replace the income stream that will no longer come from a rentcharge.

Restrictive practices such as making buyers use the developer's own solicitor, or having a compulsory interview with a nominated financial adviser (particularly if not doing so means you can't proceed further) should be stamped out and/or referred to the Competition and Markets Authority.