Leasehold and commonhold reform
This paper considers trends in leasehold ownership, ongoing problems associated with the sector, and Government plans for future legislation.

An overview of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) for home adaptations in England with details of comparable systems in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Disabled facilities grants for home adaptations (590 KB , PDF)
Mandatory DFGs are available from local authorities in England and Wales and the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland. They are issued subject to a means test
for essential adaptations to give disabled people better freedom of movement into and around their homes, and to give access to essential facilities within the home. There is an upper limit on the help available of £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland.
Funding in England is channelled into the Better Care Fund (BCF) which consists of pooled resources from several sources, including NHS England. One of the aims of the BCF is to achieve improved integration of care and support services.
Central government funding for DFGs in England was set to be £573 million in 2023/24 and to remain at this level in the next financial year. On 4 April 2023, an additional £102 million was announced as a capital top up “over 2 years to increase funding and support for people to adapt or maintain their homes.”
Research highlights pressures around funding compared to levels of need for adaptation works. This can translate into long waits for adaptations. The 2019-20 English Housing Survey report on home adaptations recorded 53%
(1 million) households who did not have all the adaptations they needed, an increase from 45% in 2014/15.
An external review of DFGs commissioned by the Government which reported in December 2018 identified several challenges for DFGs, including:
The Government’s National Disability Strategy (July 2021) promised new DFG guidance for authorities in England. This was published in March 2022 with the aim of helping authorities deliver DFGs effectively and efficiently.
The social care White Paper, People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform (updated March 2022) promised several developments including an increase to the maximum grant limit; potential changes to the DFG means test; a review of how DFG funding is allocated; and a new fund for minor repairs and changes. Consultation on these matters was expected in 2022 but is still outstanding.
The lack of a requirement to build new homes to lifetime home standards is identified as a contributing factor to growing demand for adaptations.
The National Disability Strategy (July 2021) recorded an increase in the proportion of homes in England developed “with key accessible features” from 5% in 2009 to 9% in 2018. The Strategy included a commitment to take “immediate steps” to:
The Government response to consultation on raising accessibility standards for new homes was published in July 2022. There’s a commitment to raising accessibility standards for new homes through changes to Building Regulations.
Disabled facilities grants for home adaptations (590 KB , PDF)
This paper considers trends in leasehold ownership, ongoing problems associated with the sector, and Government plans for future legislation.
Data on house prices, mortgage approvals and house-building.
An overview of current and past approaches to helping homeowners with mortgage debt, including information on trends in arrears and repossessions.