header-logo header-logo

Leasehold isn’t broken (so why fix it?)

20 June 2025 / Mark Chick
Issue: 8121 / Categories: Features , Profession , Leasehold , Property , Housing , Landlord&tenant
printer mail-detail
223025
Mark Chick ponders the leasehold v commonhold conundrum, arguing for reform, not replacement
  • Government plans to ban new leasehold flats may not be taking into account challenges that exist with regard to the commonhold system.
  • This article questions the need for a ban, arguing that reform to leasehold could benefit leaseholders and freeholders.

The government is planning to replace leasehold with commonhold, and to take steps to make commonhold the default tenure for new flats within the lifetime of this Parliament. As the first stage in this process, it published its Commonhold White Paper in March. In the white paper, the government said it would consult on the ‘best approach to banning new leasehold flats’.

While I support the proposals to reform the current system, I am also mindful of the challenges that must be overcome to make commonhold succeed for all types of development, and of the fact that leasehold is not the complete failure that some have stated.

There are

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dispute resolution team welcomes associate in London

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Special education needs and mental capacity expert joins as partner

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
In Ward v Rai, the High Court reaffirmed that imprecise points of dispute can and will be struck out. Writing in NLJ this week, Amy Dunkley of Bolt Burdon Kemp reports on the decision and its implications for practitioners
Could the Supreme Court’s ruling in R v Hayes; R v Palombo unintentionally unsettle future complex fraud trials? Maia Cohen-Lask of Corker Binning explores the question in NLJ this week
back-to-top-scroll