My handbrake's been the same from new, so always left it in gear on a hill. My main dealer doesn’t adjust the handbrake when changing pads.
Last summer I did the pads and handbrake myself. I stripped the handbrake assembly instead of just adjusting it and was pleased I did. The reason was I was able to clean and lub where necessary but more importantly I found the handbrake shoes looked to be “glazed†over as did the brake drum. I wire brushed the pads and drum to rough them up and brake the glaze, reassembled, the handbrake's now tick idy boo .
By the way if you just keep pulling it on harder each time you'll end up needing new cabels as well