Leasehold reform: a long time coming (Pt 2)

In brief

• Reforms to improve the rights available to existing leaseholders.
• Leasehold ownership.

On 21 July 2020, the Law Commission published three reports on leasehold and commonhold reform (https://bit.ly/3katg5p). In our first article we focused on commonhold reform and the future of ownership in which residential leasehold is no longer needed (‘Leasehold reform: a long time coming’, NLJ 31 July 2020, p8). While there can be an ambition for freehold to be the basis of ownership for most flats as well as houses going forward, it is essential that the law is reformed to help those who remain or become leaseholders.

Our reports contain recommendations to improve the process by which leaseholders can buy the freehold or extend their lease (enfranchisement) or take over the management of their building by exercising the right to manage (RTM). In line with the aim of the projects agreed