The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill will bring forward
reforms designed to modernise, strengthen and reinvigorate the
commonhold and leasehold framework.
Addressing unregulated and
unaffordable ground rent: policy statement
Draft Commonhold and Leasehold
Reform Bill: Command paper
Draft Commonhold and Leasehold
Reform Bill: Explanatory notes
Draft Commonhold and Leasehold
Reform Bill: Delegated Powers Memorandum
Guide to the Draft Commonhold
and Leasehold Reform Bill
Details
The government has published a draft Bill which, when
implemented, will deliver its manifesto and King's Speech
commitments to reinvigorate and reform the commonhold model,
making it easier for existing leaseholders to convert to
commonhold should they wish to do so, and banning the use of
leasehold for most new flats.
The Bill will also support existing
leaseholders by capping ground rents at £250 a year,
changing to a peppercorn after 40 years, and by
abolishing the draconian threat of forfeiture. In place
of forfeiture, the Bill will introduce a new, fairer and
more proportionate lease enforcement
scheme benefitting both leaseholders and landlords. In
addition, the Bill will tackle similarly harsh enforcement powers
that apply to estate rentcharges on freehold estates by repealing
those powers as they relate to estate rentcharges.
Taken together, these reforms will significantly improve
the current system for the five million existing
leasehold properties and their owners, while ensuring a
better deal for future generations of homeowners in England and
Wales. The Bill will give homeowners
much greater security and control over their
homes through access to fit for purpose and
modern commonhold ownership.
The documents include:
