The Housing Minister and Secretary of State have appointed Martin
Boyd as Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), where he
will champion the rights of leaseholders and park home owners.
LEASE is a government-funded body which provides free information
and advice to these homeowners, empowering them to challenge poor
practice where it occurs.
Martin brings a wealth of experience to the role and is currently
chair of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, where he campaigns
on behalf of leaseholders and provides advice on how they can
challenge their freeholders and managing agents.
Martin will oversee the transformation of LEASE to enable it to
provide support to more leaseholders and lead its new remit of
highlighting the issues they face.
LEASE already provides a valuable service to these homeowners,
with more than one million customers accessing its website last
year and LEASE advisers dealing with just over 28,000
enquiries.
Housing Minister, MP said:
“We are firmly on the side of leaseholders and Martin’s
appointment is another indication that we are standing up for
them.
“I look forward to working closely with Martin as we bring
forward further changes and legislation to support all
leaseholders.”
Martin Boyd said:
“After years of campaigning for leasehold and commonhold reform
with the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership it is a privilege to be
offered this role as Chair of LEASE at this critical point in the
transformation of our housing system.
“The Secretary of State has asked that I expand the existing
service offered by LEASE and add two new roles.
“We will create systems to give robust and regular insights to
DLUHC and the Welsh government on the issues that leaseholders
and park homeowners are facing, and we will ensure that LEASE
works closely with leasehold and park homeowner stakeholder
groups.
“I look forward to working with LEASE staff on this exciting
mission.”
LEASE has been led by Wanda Goldwag since 2019 in her role as
interim chair. Wanda has provided strong leadership and dedicated
service to the organisation during this period and Ministers have
thanked her for her service.
Wanda Goldwag said:
“It has been a great pleasure to serve as interim chair of LEASE.
LEASE provides a vital service to the many leaseholders and park
homeowners and this would not be possible without the dedication
and knowledge of its staff.
“Ministers have been clear on the need for LEASE to do even more
given the numbers of leaseholders in need of help, including
transforming its advice service and beginning to highlight the
issues they face. I wholeheartedly support this mission and have
been pleased to have an important role in beginning this
journey.”
This new appointment has also been welcomed by the All-Party
Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform.
Chair of the APPG for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform,
said:
“The All-Party Group for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform welcomes
the choice of Martin Boyd to lead and to guide LEASE in its work.
“Together, government, parliament, leaseholder groups, the Law
Commission and LEASE can make lives better while improving
important sectors of the housing market.
“Martin Boyd is admired because he is fair, fearless and able to
work with all parts of the leasehold eco structure.”
The Government is committed to creating a fair and just housing
system that works for everyone and is bringing forward reforms to
end unfair practices in the leasehold market.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities already
works closely with the sector to ensure leaseholders are
protected from poor service. Further legislation to
protect leaseholders will be brought forward in due course.
