Story perspectives

Government Bans New Leaseholds, Pushes Commonhold as Fees Surge

7/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

The government will ban new leasehold flats and replace them with commonhold in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.
Service charges have risen sharply, with Sally’s annual fee climbing from £2,600 to over £5,400 after she bought her flat in 2021.
BBC interviews with more than 1,000 leaseholders revealed anxiety about rising costs, prompting Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to say residents, not third-party landlords, should own and manage their buildings.

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Story summary

The government will ban new leasehold flats and replace them with commonhold in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.
Service charges have risen sharply, with Sally’s annual fee climbing from £2,600 to over £5,400 after she bought her flat in 2021.
BBC interviews with more than 1,000 leaseholders revealed anxiety about rising costs, prompting Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to say residents, not third-party landlords, should own and manage their buildings.