The National Leasehold Campaign (NLC) has issued a response following Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s latest intervention on the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, in which he has hinted at further delays to key elements of the reform.
In a speech yesterday, Pennycook said it was “highly likely” that the ban on new leasehold properties would not come into force until the next Parliament, despite earlier expectations of faster progress.
However, he said legislation to abolish the leasehold system and enable the transition to commonhold would be passed before the next general election, allowing the reforms to be introduced as a phased change rather than an immediate overhaul.
Katie Kendrick (Founder), Cath Williams (Co-Founder) and Jo Darbyshire (Co-Founder) have issued the following joint statement:
Complexity isn’t the problem – delay is
“The National Leasehold Campaign is realistic. We know that leasehold cannot be ended overnight. But leaseholders’ patience has run out, and they deserve it. After years of promises, consultations and repeated commitments, mere words are now meaningless without visible, concrete progress. Justice delayed is justice denied, and that is exactly how leaseholders now experience the system.
“Leasehold has long been described as complex. Leaseholders have heard that explanation for more than nine years. Complexity is not the problem – delay is. It cannot be used as a shield for inaction while millions of people remain trapped in an unfair and outdated system.
“Leaseholders are no longer demanding assurances. They are demanding delivery. What is now needed is a clear, credible and binding timetable for reform – with milestones to which the Government commits and meets. Anything less risks confirming that delay has become an acceptable option for action.
“The Minister has today confirmed [Wednesday] That is, he will not be distracted by complexity. He has been honest about the challenges, realistic about what can be achieved and clear about the direction of travel towards ultimately ending the feudal leasehold system. That clarity matters. But intentions must quickly translate into results for existing leaseholders facing rising costs, insecurity and daily stress.
“Millions of people have waited too long for meaningful change. Many are losing faith that reform will ever come. The Minister has reaffirmed his determination to provide real escape routes for existing leaseholders – and those commitments must now be realized in law, not postponed again. Every further delay compounds the injustice.
“The National Leasehold Campaign will continue to engage constructively with the Government, but we will also continue to apply pressure. We bring the experience of leaseholders directly to the table, and we will not accept reforms that fall short or fail to address the harms people face every day.
“This is the longest serving Housing Minister in over a decade. This continuity eliminates excuses. Leaseholders will rightly expect this to result in delivery, and not delays.
“The task is difficult, but inevitable. Leaseholders don’t need more explanations. They need action now.”
Housing minister says ban on leasehold unlikely before next general election