Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK to cap ground rents at £250 under sweeping overhaul

The reforms will be published in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, which will be introduced on Tuesday
The reforms will be published in the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, which will be introduced on Tuesday (PA)
  • The government has announced sweeping reforms to the leasehold system in England and Wales, including capping ground rents at £250 per year.
  • New leasehold flats will be banned, and existing leaseholders will gain the right to switch to commonhold ownership under the new proposals.
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the changes via a TikTok video, highlighting their potential to save people hundreds of pounds amid the cost of living crisis.
  • Housing Secretary Steve Reed confirmed the government's commitment to a comprehensive reform aimed at eventually abolishing the leasehold system entirely.
  • The Residential Freehold Association (RFA) criticised the ground rent cap as "wholly unjustified," warning it would damage investor confidence and property rights in the UK.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in