Government criticised as leasehold reforms are delayed again

Leasehold reforms have been delayed after the Government failed to publish its draft legislation – as promised – by the end of the year.

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook yesterday blamed “unforeseen delays” which mean the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill  now won’t be published until early in the new year.

He failed to outline what the delays were in a letter to Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee.

In evidence to the committee just a couple of weeks ago,  Housing Secretary Steve Reed said that the draft Bill will be published “before the end of the year.”

Ministers have also made similar commitments in the House of Commons on several occasions.

Eshalomi said:

“For too many leaseholders, the home ownership dream has turned into a nightmare as they’ve faced soaring ground rent hikes and unreasonable fees. The Government’s failure to bringing forward the draft legislation before the end of the year, as repeatedly promised, is deeply disappointing. The delay will cause further uncertainty for long-suffering leaseholders.

“The legislation will be technical, and it is vital the Government gets this right so that reforms deliver for leaseholders. However, further delay will make implementing reform during this Parliament a real challenge. I urge the Government to make every effort to ensure the draft Bill is brought forward as soon as possible in the New Year.”

It comes as the Government yesterday published consultations on reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements and on enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates.

Kindly shared by EstateAgentTODAY Image courtesy of Adobe