The worst part about the UK (specifically London, not 100% sure about the rest), is that even when you buy a property (assuming it's a leasehold), then you're again at the mercy of the freeholder. Depending on your lease - you'll still be paying rent (ground rent) in addition to service charge and building insurance. Technically, you're only 'renting' the property for the lifetime of the lease. All from probably someone who was merely lucky enough to have been born into an aristocratic family, or a money-hungry company.

It's an embarrassingly archaic and unfair system. God forbid working families want to own their own home/land in this country (city).