TO BE PUBLISHED June 2025
Starting from:
£99 + VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will explore next steps for leasehold and commonhold reform in England.
It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implementation of the Government’s proposals as set out in the Commonhold White Paper: The proposed new commonhold model for homeownership in England & Wales, and to examine the wider policy framework, looking at implementation of provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 so far.
Those attending will also look ahead to the forthcoming draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, the transition to commonhold as the default tenure for new flats, and the implications of recent regulatory and legal developments.
Attendees will consider implications of ongoing consultations on enfranchisement costs, building insurance fees, and ground rent regulation, and assess options for delivering a more transparent and equitable approach to leaseholder costs and property management. Further sessions will explore practical steps for enabling commonhold adoption in new and existing buildings, including the design of reserve fund requirements, mixed-use provisions, and managing lender confidence.
Delegates will examine what will be needed to ensure a functioning legal and regulatory framework to support commonhold, and to balance the interests of leaseholders, freeholders, developers, and managing agents - particularly in light of planned secondary legislation and ongoing legal challenges. We also expect discussion on longer-term strategic issues, including options for simplifying conversion pathways from leasehold to commonhold, addressing the affordability and marketability of properties affected by high service charges, and evaluating the broader societal and market impact of a shift away from leasehold tenure.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- policy:
- next steps for reform and implementation following publication of the Commonhold White Paper
- key provisions of the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill
- implications of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act and next steps for implementation
- regulatory and economic impacts of leasehold:
- evaluating outcomes of consultations on enfranchisement costs, ground rent, and building insurance fees - approaches for a transparent and fair framework for property management costs
- addressing stakeholder concerns regarding enfranchisement calculations and the integration of the Act with existing property laws
- transition to Commonhold:
- priorities for streamlining the adoption of commonhold and strategies for implementing commonhold as the default tenure
- simplifying pathways to converting leasehold to commonhold in existing buildings - tackling the practical challenges of mixed-use conversions and ensuring regulatory coherence
- legal and infrastructure challenges:
- building a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to support commonhold - balancing varied interests of leaseholders, freeholders, developers, managing agents, and legal practitioners
- assessing priorities and anticipated challenges for planned secondary legislation - addressing concerns regarding legal disputes for leasehold issues moving forward
- practicalities of banning new leasehold flats, alongside stakeholder views on existing leasehold properties - impact on leaseholders from changes to lease extensions under the Act
- examining implications of the new requirement for landlords to obtain court or tribunal approval before passing on litigation costs in the context of court backlogs
- lender and market confidence:
- strategies for encouraging confidence in the commonhold model - marketability and affordability of properties under commonhold tenure - addressing high service charges
- long-term housing market effects of shifting away from leasehold tenures - broader societal considerations for equity and housing accessibility
- stakeholder engagement:
- multi-agency coordination amongst policymakers, regulators, developers and managing agents - sharing lessons from other jurisdictions and frameworks
- facilitating community buy-in and collaborations for successful implementation - assessing the impact of delays in executing the Leasehold and Freehold Act
- alternative approaches and innovation:
- exploring other similar systems to commonhold for potential adaptation - innovative options for flexibility and responsiveness in reforming tenure models
