Leasehold reform

Motion Text

That this House believes reform to the leasehold system is long overdue; notes that Liberals and Liberal Democrats have campaigned to end leasehold since the reforms David Lloyd George laid down in the People's Budget 1909; regrets that the Conservatives in government failed to protect leaseholders from dangerous cladding or ban leaseholds; further notes that leaseholders make up over 20% of the housing stock in England which suffer from poorly regulated management charges and uncapped ground rents; recognises that many leaseholders have faced large service charge increases, including an 11% rise during 2024; understands with concern that increases in service charge have left many leaseholders trapped in their properties and unable to sell; also notes that some freeholders face similar charges through unmanaged and unregulated estate management fees; is therefore deeply concerned that the Government has so far failed to honour its manifesto commitment by further delaying leasehold reform; asks the Government to urgently provide leaseholders with management rights to protect them from unregulated charges; and calls on the Government finally to abolish leasehold tenancies for all current and new residential properties.