Campaign urges MPs to deliver action for leaseholders

An organisation has launched a mass email campaign calling on MPs to deliver justice for leaseholders.

The National Leasehold Campaign (NLC) says leaseholders’ patience is “wearing thin” after the government failed to publish the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill by the end of 2025, despite previously promising to do so.

The draft bill is now expected to be published this year.

Trust and confidence are at an all-time low

With MPs returning to Parliament after the Christmas break, the NLC launched a mass email campaign last week, writing to MPs, urging stronger protections for leaseholders.

The organisation also called for the draft Leasehold Reform bill to be published as soon as possible.

Katie Kendrick OBE, co-founder of the NLC, said: “Leaseholders have been extremely patient, but patience is wearing thin. We want to remind the government that we have been waiting since 2017 for something to emerge, and every year there has been yet another reason for delay.

“It is no wonder trust and confidence are at an all-time low. The question remains: will the draft bill be the salvation for leaseholders or a damp squib?”

Under the bill, proposals to help leaseholders are expected to include:

• Removing marriage value
• Banning leasehold houses
• Making it easier, cheaper and quicker to buy the freehold or extend a lease
• Increasing lease extension terms from 90 years to 990 years
• Greater service charge transparency

Government must deliver full justice for leaseholders

The NLC also says that leaseholders are still awaiting the government’s response to the ground rent consultation, as well as urgent action on the regulation of managing agents.

Jo Darbyshire OBE, co-founder of the NLC, said: “The government must deliver full justice for leaseholders, no more excuses or delays.

“The history of leasehold reform is one that repeats itself and has done for decades. This government has the chance to break this cycle.”

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill is intended for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee before the introduction of a full bill in Parliament.