Call Us: 020 8771 5254
Amphlett Lissimore Logo

Back to News

Leasehold and Freehold Bill announced in the King’s Speech

Written by

Dona Awano

Published on

November 10, 2023

A leasehold property with several floors of apartments

On Tuesday 7th November 2023, the Leasehold and Freehold Bill was announced during King Charles’ first king’s speech in parliament. When it becomes law, the Bill will deliver the Government’s commitments on leasehold reform as outlined in their manifesto – to provide fairness in the housing market.

“My Ministers will bring forward a bill to reform the housing market by making it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to purchase their freehold and tackling the exploitation of millions of homeowners through punitive service charges.” King Charles, the King’s speech, Tuesday 7th November 2023.

What will the Leasehold and Freehold Bill include?

The Bill plans to give homeowners in England and Wales a fairer deal by;

  • Empowering leaseholders by making it cheaper and easier for existing leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold, by removing barriers such as the two-year ownership requirement and reducing ground rent to £0.
  • Improving leaseholders’ consumer rights such as greater transparency over service charges
  • Reforming the leasehold market by banning the creation of leasehold houses

Dona Awano, head of our specialist leasehold team says; “Some of the changes announced in the highly anticipated King’s speech are welcome and positive. Whist it is encouraging that the consultation on capping ground rents in existing leases has been promptly published, there are concerns that the consultation might delay the Bill. We await seeing the draft Bill as the devil will be in the detail.”

About our Leasehold team

Based in our Crystal Palace office, our Leasehold Enfranchisement solicitors are all highly experienced in this niche area of Property law. Amphlett Lissimore are members of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), so you can be sure to receive from us a high level of service, integrity, and professionalism.

Further reading

LPA – More important than your Will?

January 31, 2025

Could sorting your Lasting Powers of Attorney be more important than writing a Will? Judith Hurle, a Will Executive at our West Wickham office, discusses the merits of obtaining Lasting Powers of Attorney sooner rather than later.

Read More

Is family mediation legally binding?

January 30, 2025

Family mediation is seen as a cost-effective route for a couple who are separating to discuss and agree on their financial and child arrangements. But is family mediation legally binding? Can a court order me to participate in Family Mediation? Accredited Family Mediator, Sam O’Dwyer discusses MIAMs and the legalities of family mediation. What is […]

Read More

Removal of the two-year ownership rule

January 31, 2025

Earlier this month, Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich and Minister of State for ...

Read More

Estella Newbold-Brown listed in Citywealth’s Top 75 Family Lawyers List 2025

January 23, 2025

This week, Citywealth magazine released its 2025 list of Top 75 Family Lawyers in the UK’s ...

Read More