Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has pledged to tackle the ongoing "scandal" of the leasehold system, which she says has left millions of people exposed to home insecurity, extortionate costs, and hidden fees. Speaking at the Labour Conference in Liverpool, Ms Rayner said the situation has left many people exposed to the actions of "cowboys, crooks, and con artists".
Unfinished business on leasehold
Ms Rayner joined the stage to rapturous applause and immediately set out her agenda, citing both homelessness and the leasehold system as priority areas. She said: "I have a bit of unfinished business - confronting the scandal faced by millions of leaseholders who have found their dream of home ownership turned into a nightmare."
She added: "Whilst the Tories sat back and refused to tackle this problem, this Labour government has shown whose side it's on. We are ending the injustice of 'fleece-hold', abolishing the sickening threats of people's homes being snatched away by their landlord for the slightest breach."
Capping and scrapping ground rents
Ms Rayner said the government is "finally dealing with ground rents", noting that some leaseholders pay hundreds or thousands of pounds each year to unaccountable investors for nothing in return. She confirmed: "That is why we are calling time on this by capping, then scrapping ground rents."
She also highlighted other excessive charges, saying: "I've heard of leaseholders being charged £250 for permission to own a pet, £400 for permission to change their own front door, and then a further £60 fee to put a doorbell on that door, just for the basic right to do what you want in your own home."
Regulating agents
Ms Rayner addressed problems within the network of intermediaries in the leasehold system, including estate agents, letting agents, and property management agents. While acknowledging that many reputable businesses exist in this space, she said they are being undermined by far too many "cowboys, crooks, and con artists", with homeowners, renters, and leaseholders paying the price through hidden fees and traps.
She added: "People who should be excited about buying a home are tricked into using overpriced in-house services. Unqualified, unlicensed, and unregulated agents are taking thousands from their clients and mishandling their money. With no transparency or accountability, vultures can take advantage."
Ms Rayner confirmed that the government will legislate for an independent regulator to "rein these cowboys in", compelling those agencies to follow the rules or risk having their licenses taken away.
