Four in five flats fail to sell within six months as flat-to-house price gap hits widest in 30 years

Zoopla's Richard Donnell told Radio 4's Today on 11 August that around four in five flat owners fail to sell within six months, against half of all homes - with the flat-to-house price gap the widest in three decades. Leasehold costs, from service charges to building-safety bills, are deterring buyers and making lenders warier on flat valuations. For buyers, that means room to negotiate on flats; for sellers, sharper pricing and patience. The gap is far narrower in Scotland, where freehold is common.