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May 21, 2019

Proposed changes to the leasehold reform system

Here, we look at the committee’s findings, examine what the government’s response is likely to be, and discuss the reaction of the housing sector so far.

As the deadline passes for the government’s response to March’s committee report into the housing industry and developers’ use of leasehold agreements, many landlords are concerned that the government’s response could impact their businesses.

Committee report

Produced by MPs sitting on the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Committee, the report caused alarm amongst many in the housing industry. Tasked with examining abuses of power in the leasehold system, the committee returned a damning indictment of what it perceived as serious flaws and widespread exploitation of leaseholders.

It found that almost half of the new leaseholders in the past decade were unaware of the intricacies of the leasehold system and that many were trapped in agreements that favoured landlords to too great a degree. Recent studies have also shown that 94% of those who bought into a leasehold agreement regretted doing so and that 62% felt they were mis-sold the deal.

The committee was particularly concerned by how purchasers of new build properties – who tend to be first-time buyers – were being sold leasehold agreements that featured high service charges, burdensome ground rents, and unaffordable lease extension rates.

The state of play

The government has issued a partial response, addressing some of the key concerns raised in the report.

The majority of the government’s response has been articulated by the Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire. It has included the government’s intention to introduce legislation that prevents leaseholders from being forced to pay the legal costs of the developers they take to court over high service charges.

He has also argued for implementing a new statutory code of practice for those who hold leasehold agreements in retirement properties. This will protect vulnerable property owners and their families from unjust financial burdens.

The industry reacts

The housing industry has responded quickly to the report’s release, too. More than 40 property developers have signed a pledge emphasising developers’ duty to act in their client’s best interest. Many of those who have signed the pledge have also agreed to eradicate the common practice of ‘doubling clauses,’ where ground rents increase rapidly over a relatively short period of time. In most cases, developers have also agreed to change the terms of existing leasehold agreements.

What the report means for landlords

No new legislation has been passed that will affect landlords’ legal positions. However, the Leasehold Reform Bill is listed on the UK Parliament website as awaiting its second reading by the House of Commons.

The committee report recommends that ground rents payable under existing leases should be capped at 0.1% of the property’s value and limited to £250 per year. This could dramatically affect those who hold agreements where ground rent is payable. However, it must be emphasised that this is the committee’s recommendation and not yet government policy.

Finally, the report also mentions the need for greater transparency in signing property deals and the importance of providing all buyers with more comprehensive information regarding their purchases.

Conclusion

Contained within the committee’s report are some startling and relatively radical ideas. They would result in an enormous shake-up of the existing leasehold system if put into practice. However, there is currently no evidence that the government has the appetite to adopt these leasehold reforms. Landlords will have to wait for the government’s response to the report (due any day) to see just how far they are willing to reform the leasehold system. What is clear is that landlords will be under increasing pressure from the government and the public to do away with exploitative leasehold agreements.

If you have a leasehold question, contact John Gillette today.

Note: This is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.

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