It has been more than a year since the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 received royal assent, with the new legislation becoming law on 24 May 2024.
However, despite belief that the Act would introduce significant changes to leasehold ownership in England and Wales, progress has stalled.
In this blog, our specialist Lease Extension Solicitors round up the latest developments on leasehold reform.
What is the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act aims to create a fairer and more secure system of home ownership in England and Wales by strengthening leaseholders’ rights in various ways, including:-
- Easier and cheaper lease extensions.
- Increasing a standard lease extension to 990 years.
- Giving more rights to leaseholders looking to buy their freehold.
- Making it easier for leaseholders to take over the management of their building.
- Extending access to redress schemes for leaseholders looking to challenge poor practice.
- Increasing transparency over service charges.
- Banning the sale of new leasehold houses.
Read more about the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in our previous blog by clicking here.
Why are there delays to leasehold reform?
Although it was originally expected that the main provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act would come into force in 2025 and 2026, progress has been delayed, with the government conceding that full implementation will take “years not months”.
Several obstacles stand in the way of leasehold reform. These include:
- Secondary legislation. Implementation of the Act requires substantive secondary legislation which will need to be drafted.
- Judicial review. In January 2025, a group of freeholders were granted permission for a judicial review of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to challenge specific provisions of the Act, including those relating to enfranchisement, lease extensions and the cap on ground rents. This is provisionally set for July 2025.
- Consultation. The government needs to launch a public consultation on various key parts of the Act and this is still pending.
What is the timeline for leasehold reform?
Progress on the implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act has been slow, with minimal provisions coming into force to date.
In January 2025, the two-year qualifying period that leaseholders previously needed to meet before extending their lease was removed. This means that since 31 January 2025, leaseholders do not have to wait before starting the lease extension process.
This change applies retrospectively, meaning it is not limited to new leases signed after the commencement date but also benefits existing leaseholders.
From 3 March 2025, changes to right to manage came into force, which removed the requirement for leaseholders to cover their freeholder’s legal fees when making a right-to-manage claim.
However, it is unclear when any further provisions are likely to be introduced.
Leasehold Reform Solicitors
At the start of June 2025, a debate on leasehold reform was held in the House of Commons, during which Alex Norris, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, confirmed that the public consultation required to implement key parts of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was still pending.
He failed to give any firm timeline about the implementation of the Act, only saying that the Government “wanted to get it right”.
“I appreciate that there is frustration about consultation, but some of the challenges within the Act show why it is important that we get this right, and that we have a process that delivers the relief that people are so desperately waiting for.
“We will bring the measures into force as soon as possible once we have the correct model”, said Norris.
Until more provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act come into force, the practical impact on leaseholders is minimal, and existing law and procedures still apply.
Leasehold Solicitors Blackheath
At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we offer a full range of legal services related to leasehold property.
Our experienced leasehold solicitors advise leaseholders on lease extensions, enfranchisement, right to manage and other legal issues affecting property ownership.
If you are a leaseholder and need some legal advice on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 or any other matter affecting you, get in touch with us today.
We will advise the best course of action for your situation and help and support you at every stage.
To speak to our Lease Extension solicitors today, call us on 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk.