To tackle this issue, here's a comprehensive plan:

Government Intervention:

1. Introduce stricter regulations and inspections to ensure that management firms are operating in a transparent and honest manner.
2. Implement more stringent penalties for firms that fail to disclose accurate information or engage in unfair business practices.

Homeowners' Rights:

1. Provide clear, accessible language on charges and costs associated with freehold estates.
2. Ensure homeowners are provided with adequate time to review and understand their contracts before signing.
3. Give residents the right to challenge unfair cost calculations and request clarification from management firms.

Market Regulation:

1. Establish clear guidelines for the development of new freehold estates.
2. Mandate that management firms prioritize reserve funding for future costs, rather than relying on homeowners' individual contributions (known as "payment-in-lieu").

Homeowner Education:

1. Provide resources and support for homeowners to navigate the complexities of freehold estate ownership.
2. Offer training sessions or workshops on topics such as charging mechanisms, valuation models, and dispute resolution procedures.

With these measures in place, we aim to protect homeowners from unfair business practices, ensure timely transparency, prioritize accountability, safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders involved.