The UK government has announced an extension of cladding remediation funding to buildings under 36ft, previously only available for blocks 59ft or higher. This move, part of the Remediation Acceleration Plan, aims to accelerate safety fixes and prioritize properties based on risk to residents. Applications will open from August.
Millions of leaseholders in England and Wales face rising service charges and ground rent, causing significant stress. The UK government plans to ban new leasehold flats, replacing them with commonhold, where residents collectively own and manage their buildings.
Millions of leaseholders in England and Wales face escalating service charges and ground rent, causing significant stress. The UK government plans to ban new leasehold flats, replacing them with commonhold, where residents collectively own and manage their buildings.
Millions of leaseholders in England and Wales face rising service charges and ground rent, leading to stress. The government plans to ban new leasehold flats, replacing them with commonhold, where residents collectively own and manage their buildings. However, challenges remain, including developer reluctance and potential legal battles.
Cath Williams, Katie Kendrick, and Jo Darbyshire, founders of the National Leasehold Campaign (NLC), have successfully pushed for significant reforms to the UK's leasehold system. Their advocacy, driven by personal experiences of unfair practices and escalating costs, led to new legislation banning new leasehold houses and promoting commonhold for flats, with further reforms aimed at ending leasehold for new flats and capping ground rents.
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Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said a ban on new leasehold properties is unlikely to come into force until after the next election, despite the 2024 ban on leaseholds for new houses. The government plans to ban new flat leaseholds soon but says switching on the ban involves complex trade-offs with housing supply. The Green party's Zack Polanski has accused the government of U-turning on its election pledge, while campaign group Free Leaseholders warned that developer incentives to sell leasehold flats will worsen the housing crisis.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said outright abolition of the leasehold system in England and Wales would be 'almost certainly impossible', rejecting claims the government is rowing back on Labour's election promises. In a speech at the Institute for Government, he said the government would 'dismantle' the system by making it easier for leaseholders to convert to commonhold, but acknowledged the process would take time. The draft bill would ban new leasehold flats and cap ground rents at £250 annually.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said a ban on new leasehold properties in England and Wales is unlikely to come into force before the next election, despite the 2024 legislation passing. Defending the government's gradual approach, Pennycook cited complex trade-offs with housing supply and legal complexities. The government plans to have primary legislation in place but will carefully time the ban's commencement through ongoing consultation. The Green party has accused the government of u-turning on its election pledge, while campaign groups criticize the foot-dragging.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has said outright and immediate abolition of the leasehold system in England and Wales would be 'almost certainly impossible', rejecting accusations the government is dragging its feet on reform. The government will instead 'dismantle' the system before the next election by making it easier for leaseholders to convert to commonhold ownership, banning new leasehold flats and capping ground rents at £250 a year. Critics including the Green Party and campaign group Free Leaseholders have accused Labour of rowing back on election promises.
