To mark this year’s National Conveyancing Week (NCW2025) (17–21 March 2025), our Residential Conveyancers round up the possible changes to leasehold properties in England and Wales.
What is happening with leasehold properties in the UK?
There have been discussions in the media of the potential abolition of leasehold flats. This has been ongoing topic of discussion, and while there isn’t a specific law yet in place to completely abolish leasehold flats, the government has shown interest in reforming the leasehold system, in response to concerns over excessive ground rents, unfair terms, and the lack of control that leaseholders have over their property.
Possible changes to leasehold in England and Wales include:
- Abolition of Ground Rents for New Leaseholds: One of the most significant changes already made is the government’s move to abolish ground rents for new leasehold properties.
- Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022: This Act, which came into force in 2023, effectively removes ground rents for most new leases. It ensures that landlords can no longer charge rent that increases over time, and it allows for future leases to be set at a nominal amount or to be set as a one-time payment.
- Extension of Lease Term and Rights to Buy Freeholds: There are ongoing discussions around making it easier for leaseholders to extend their leases or buy their freehold at a more affordable rate.
- Possible Complete Abolition of Leasehold System: There are calls to abolish the leasehold system entirely, particularly for residential properties. This could mean that all new properties would be sold as freehold, giving homeowners full ownership of the land and property.
- Ongoing Review of Leasehold Practices: The government has been conducting reviews into the leasehold system, and there have been proposals to make it easier for leaseholders to buy the freehold of their property and to remove onerous clauses that allow for excessive service charges or unreasonable restrictions.
Read more about leasehold reform in our previous blog by clicking here.
Lease Extension Solicitors
If you are a leaseholder and want to know how you will be affected by the likely changes to the leasehold system in England and Wales, get in touch with Bookers & Bolton.
We are a Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited firm offering specialist advice and guidance on all conveyancing and lease extension matters to clients across Alton, Hampshire and beyond.
We provide quality legal advice to leaseholders on many different legal issues and can advise on conveyancing of leasehold properties, enfranchisement rights and lease extension issues.
Our lease extension legal service for leasehold properties includes:
- Checking and advising on the terms of the new lease.
- Checking and approving documentation prepared by the freeholder and requesting amendments.
- Carrying out the necessary conveyancing process on the new lease.
To speak to a member of the team, call 01420 558335 or email enquiries@bookersandbolton.co.uk.
