Common leasehold questions: advice and information
A quick guide to getting advice and information on common leasehold issues.

An explanation of what's known about proposed leasehold reforms and the timetable.
This information should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice. Read the disclaimer.
On 21 December 2017 the Government announced plans to tackle the growing problem of newly built houses sold as leasehold rather than freehold, and to limit ground rents on new lease agreements. Leasehold reform was included in the Law Commission’s 13th Programme of Law Reform with the aim of finding ways to make buying a freehold or extending a lease “easier, faster, fairer and cheaper.”
The Law Commission’s work on leasehold reform is complete. The Commission carried out a full review of enfranchisement law and procedure. Enfranchisement describes buying the freehold interest or extending a lease agreement.
On 19 July 2018, the Commission published proposed measures (PDF 477 KB) to help existing leasehold homeowners buy the freehold of their houses. In September 2018 a consultation paper (PDF 7.12 MB) proposed “a new, single regime for leasehold enfranchisement designed to benefit leaseholders of houses and flats.”
On 9 January 2020, the Commission published Leasehold home ownership: buying your freehold or extending your lease – Report on options to reduce the price payable (PDF 3.49MB). A final report on reforming all aspects of leasehold enfranchisement was published on 21 July 2020 entitled Leasehold homeownership: buying your freehold or extending your lease (PDF 13.91MB). A summary report (PDF 470KB) was published alongside.
The Law Commission also reviewed leaseholders’ Right to Manage. A consultation exercise was launched in January 2019 with a final report published on 21 July 2020: Leasehold home ownership: exercising the Right to Manage (PDF 3.68MB). There is also a summary document (PDF 414KB).
The Law Commission issued Commonhold: A Call For Evidence (PDF 771 KB) on 22 February 2018. A public consultation exercise launched on 10 December 2018 with a final report published on 21 July 2020: Reinvigorating commonhold: the alternative to leasehold ownership (PDF 5.78MB) together with a summary document (PDF 647KB).
On 11 January 2021, Robert Jenrick, then-Secretary of State, said leasehold reform would be tackled through two pieces of legislation.
The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 came into force on 30 June 2022. This Act fulfils the commitment to “set future ground rents to zero.” The provisions apply only to new lease agreements. New leases of retirement properties are in scope, but not before 1 April 2023.
We hope, in the forthcoming King’s Speech, to introduce legislation to fundamentally reform the system. Leaseholders, not just in this case but in so many other cases, are held to ransom by freeholders. We need to end this feudal form of tenure and ensure individuals have the right to enjoy their own property fully.
Future legislation will:
On 11 January 2022, consultation opened on proposals to extend the right to manage and enfranchisement rights in mixed-use buildings. Submissions were accepted up to 22 February 2022. The consultation also covered commonhold voting rights in shared ownership properties and the provision of information during the sale of a commonhold property.
On 13 May 2021, the Government launched the Commonhold Council – an advisory panel of leasehold groups and industry experts to inform the Government on the future of this type of homeownership.
The Government has said it will:
On 1 May 2018, the Welsh Housing and Regeneration Minister at that time, Rebecca Evans, said the Welsh Government had joined the Law Commission’s leasehold reform project. A multi-disciplinary task and finish group on leasehold reform was established. The Task and Finish Group issued a report, Residential Leasehold Reform (PDF 892 KB), in July 2019 which was described as “just the end of the first key stage of the work” the Group is undertaking.
Additional research into the sale of use of leaseholds in Wales was published on 16 March 2021. On 17 March 2021, Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government, set out her intentions on leasehold reform in Wales, including:
Restricting future ground rents to zero for leasehold properties in the third phase of Help to Buy-Wales.
Paving the way for a permanent restriction of future ground rents to zero. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 extends to and applies in Wales.
Seeking the UK Government’s agreement to officials working together “to explore a joint approach to legislation enacting the Law Commission’s recommendations for leasehold reform for England and Wales.”
The consultation which opened on 11 January 2022 extended to Wales.
Library briefing paper: Leasehold and Commonhold Reform
Library briefing paper: Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22
The Commons Library does not intend the information in this article to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. We have published it to support the work of MPs. You should not rely upon it as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein. You should consult a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information. Read our briefing for information about sources of legal advice and help.
A quick guide to getting advice and information on common leasehold issues.
This briefing explains the background to the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22, the Bill’s main provisions and its progress through Parliament to date.
This paper considers trends in leasehold ownership, ongoing problems associated with the sector, and Government plans for future legislation.