Implementing reforms to the leasehold system
We are seeking views on how to implement the government’s reforms to the leasehold system in England to improve the housing market for consumers.
In December 2017, the government announced it would tackle unfair practices in the leasehold market by introducing legislation to prohibit new residential long leases from being granted on houses, other than in exceptional circumstances, and restrict ground rents in newly established leases of houses and flats to a nominal amount.
The consultation sets out how the government intends to make changes and on how we should implement the reforms. This includes understanding circumstances for exemptions and measures to improve how leasehold properties are bought and sold.
The consultation also promotes fairness for freeholders and includes proposals to ensure that the charges that freeholders may pay towards the maintenance of communal areas are fairer and more transparent.