October 2023
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This conference looked at next steps for leasehold reform in England and Wales.
It was an opportunity to discuss the impact of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, and priorities for the Government’s next stage of reform following speculation that plans to abolish the leasehold system have been dropped.
Following the passing of the Act, the conference brought together stakeholders and policymakers to examine issues moving forward, including dispute resolution, the implementation of ground rent reform, and impact on the market, landlords and developers.
Discussion looked at the next stage of the Government’s legislative programme, with a new Leasehold Bill expected in the forthcoming King’s Speech, including a potential cap on ground rents, the abolition of marriage value, and increased powers for leaseholders.
Delegates examined alternatives to leasehold, with a focus on the future place of the commonhold model, including suitability for the English and Welsh markets, how the model could be made more attractive for lenders, developers, and investors, and making the process more efficient and less costly.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Rebecca Marsh, Property Ombudsman; Judge Siobhan McGrath, President, First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Courts and Tribunals Judiciary; Professor Susan Bright, Professor of Land Law, University of Oxford; and Mervyn Skeet, Director of General Insurance Policy, Association of British Insurers.
Further sessions examined wider sector issues, including:
- resolving property disputes: assessing the use of alternative dispute resolution to settle disagreements in the residential landlord sector - key priorities for the sector moving forward
- building safety and pledges for net zero: key issues relating to building safety concerns - the impact of net zero targets on leaseholders - implications for future property law reforms
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DBT; Defra; DLUHC; HMLR; HMRC; UKSA; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.
