It was impossible for the government to abolish the leasehold system this year due to the complexities of leasehold ownership, according to the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP).
Housing Secretary Michael Gove said the government’s intention was to abolish the leasehold system, telling MPs in January that it the government would “bring forward legislation shortly”.
The King’s Speech later this year was expected to include a Bill outlining further leasehold reforms, although it is understood that these will now stop short of ending leasehold ownership.
Mark Chick, ALEP director and senior partner at Bishop & Sewell, said: “The news that Michael Gove intended to abolish leasehold garnered plenty of headlines at the time, but the reality is that there was never any realistic prospect of the leasehold system being scrapped during this Parliament.
“Leasehold is an incredibly complex area of the law which has developed over centuries, and it cannot simply be abolished or replaced overnight. While the delay to the end of leasehold may disappoint some campaigners, it should not come as any great surprise given the gargantuan task before the government, not to mention the other pressing demands on Parliamentary time.
“It is preferable that the government takes its time to consider and consult on all aspects of the intended reforms, rather than rushing out unfinished or extemporaneous legislation that is not fit-for-purpose, and which could cause unintended confusion and harm.
“We look forward to hearing further details of the next phase of the government’s leasehold reform agenda in the King’s Speech later this year.”
