Leasehold reform - there's more to come!

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Yet more reform is on the table and is set to affect anyone with a leasehold home. Yesterday, the government responded to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee?s report on Leasehold Reform, and has come out largely in favour of the measures it is recommending.

More leasehold reform is on the way - but how long will it take?


Proposals include:

• giving clearer information to consumers on how to buy and sell leasehold properties


• Looking again at commonhold in light of the Law Commission?s recent report


• working with developers on a standard ?key features? document so consumers have clear details of a lease before they buy


• removing any financial value from future ground rent


• ensuring the Law Commission is able to properly consider the use of unfair terms


• updating planning guidance to ensure clear and transparent agreement between developers and local authorities on public areas and utilities to be adopted


• considering recommendations on permission fees, major works (including a code of practice) and other charges.


• exploring the best way to challenge unjustifiable legal costs, including looking again at legislation


• exploring legal changes to forfeiture


• extending compulsory membership of a redress scheme to all freeholders of leasehold properties


• implementing improvements to the enfranchisement system as soon as possible

How long will these recommendations take -  and will some end up being watered down along the way? Nothing is certain. But what is clear is that there is now the will at policy level to make life easier for leaseholders. And that has to be good news.

If you are interested in reading the response document in full, you can donwload it here.

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02/09/2020
Author : Mary-Anne Bowring

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