Monday 15th October saw the Government publishing yet another consultation on Implementing reforms to the leasehold system in England.
The consultation can found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementing-reforms-to-the-leasehold-system
Following consultation last year, the Government made a number of commitments to tackle unfair practices in the leasehold market. This consultation process is designed to gather views on how it should implement the legislation, which will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows.
The Government are specifically seeking views on:
The consultation will be open for 6 weeks and closes at midnight on 26th November. Your views can be submitted here:
Implementing a ban on the unjustified use of leasehold for new houses
Implementing the reduction of future ground rents to a peppercorn (for houses and flats)
Implementing measures to ensure that the charges that freeholders must pay towards the maintenance of communal areas are fairer and more transparent
Implementing measures to improve how leasehold properties are sold.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LeaseholdCon18
Yesterday also saw the Government publishing its response to their consultation on Recognised Tenants’ Associations which can be found here.
Recognised tenants’ association Regulations were laid in draft on 5th October 2018 - The Tenants’ Associations (Provisions Relating to Recognition and Provision of Information) (England) Regulations 2018.
The Regulations come into force on 1st November 2018, however there still remains a 50% threshold.
From the 1st November 2018 Recognised Tenants’ Associations will have new powers to compel landlords/agents to provide information about leaseholders in a block (if they consent).
Landlord/agents will be required to acknowledge the request within 7 days of receipt or risk an application to the First Tier Tribunal being made against them: Regulation 8(1).
A link to the Regulations is here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/1043/pdfs/uksi_20181043_en.pdf
For more information on residents’ associations or leasehold rights, please contact Yashmin Mistry on email: ymistry@jpclaw.co.uk or Tel: 0207 644 7294 or follow on twitter and LinkedIn.
