The Government is taking action to improve the leasehold system, with the aim of abolishing the leasehold system and moving to commonhold. A number of important measures are already being introduced:
- Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act: Changes are being implemented to allow more leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease without unnecessary waiting periods. These measures will also give homeowners the right to take over the management of their building, increase transparency on costs, and strengthen the ability to challenge unfair service charges.
- New draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill: Further action is being taken to tackle unregulated ground rents.
- Commonhold proposals: Plans are being developed to consult on banning new leasehold flats.
- Expansion of the Right to Manage: Reforms will make it easier for leaseholders in mixed-use buildings to take over management from freeholders. Crucially, leaseholders making claims will no longer have to pay their freeholder’s legal costs in most cases.
- Further consultations: These will look at making it easier to challenge service charges, ensuring fair valuation rates for enfranchisement, and strengthening consumer protections for those who pay freehold estate charges.
I have also joined a cross-party group of MPs working on these issues to ensure local residents’ voices are heard.
To make sure your experiences and views are represented, I would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the short survey below. Your feedback will help me highlight the real challenges residents are facing and push for improvements. All responses will be treated confidentially.