Leasehold reform: New proposals to increase leaseholder protections
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen protections for leaseholders in relation to service charges and building insurance.
The consultation forms part of the Government’s broader leasehold reform agenda, and builds on changes introduced through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 that seek to address concerns around excessive fees and poor service.
We strongly support the focus on improving transparency and accountability in the sector, and back measures that give leaseholders better access to information on fees and charges.
We also want to see mandatory qualifications introduced for managing agents as a key step towards improving professional standards and service levels.
The Government has confirmed that any secondary legislation will be implemented with input from leaseholders and professionals.
It is also reviewing protections for leaseholders who have fixed service charges, who currently have fewer rights than those on variable charges.
Further changes ahead
Leasehold reform is extremely complex and the Government says that it wants to balance “speed with care” to get the legislation right.
For example, more contentious aspects such as marriage value and lease extension calculations will be consulted on at a later date.
What can I do next?
This consultation began on 4th July and will last for 12 weeks, closing on 26th September.
The NRLA is encouraging our members to respond to the consultation, as well as sharing any concerns to inform our response with us at [email protected].
Want to hear more about leasehold reform? Listen back to our Listen Up Landlords podcast episode from earlier this year, where we discuss the Government’s plans with Roger Southam, former chair of the leasehold advisory service, LEASE, and Eleanor Bateman, the NRLA'S public affairs manager.
