Caerphilly AM Hefin David has called on the Welsh Government to regulate the amount of money housing developers can charge residents for maintenance work.
Currently, there is no limit on what residents can be charged for maintenance work, but Dr David wants a cap to be introduced.
Developers often hand the management of communal areas, such as grass verges and roads, to estate management companies, many of which then charge a yearly maintenance fee.
Dr David said: “It is deeply unfair that some people have to pay extra on top of their council tax for the upkeep of land near their homes. This affects both those who rent and homeowners.
“The companies who own the nearby land and charge for maintenance are unregulated. I’m asking Welsh Government to bring in controls so that people have a right to challenge poor work.
He added: “I also want the Government to do all in their power to abolish extra charges and at the very least bring in caps to prevent current fees from rising.”
Housing is an issue that is devolved to the National Assembly for Wales, but the issue still exists across the border in England.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Our Leasehold Reform Group is already examining estate management changes and will report to us in the summer. The Minister for Housing (Julie James AM) will consider how to respond once she has received their report and the Law Commission review on residential leasehold and commonhold law.”
Caerphilly Observer has previously reported on the poor service experienced by residents living on Redrow’s Cwm Calon estate in Ystrad Mynach, who have to pay around £10 a month for the estate’s upkeep.