A ban on landlords of buildings charging ground rent to leaseholders will come into force on 30 June, the government announced today. We have reported on this a few times and now we are delighted at Avocado to confirm its official.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says this annual rent – sometimes running to hundreds of pounds – will be abolished in England and Wales, because “these charges provide no clear service in return and can be set to escalate regularly, with a significant financial burden for leaseholders”.
It adds that the ban will lead to “more transparent homeownership for thousands of homebuyers”.
The department says: “Anyone preparing to sign a new lease on a home in the next two months should speak to their landlord to ensure their ground rent rate reflects the upcoming changes.”
Leasehold minister Lord Stephen Greenhalgh adds: “This is an important milestone in our work to fix the leasehold system and to level up home ownership.
“Abolishing these unreasonable costs will make the dream of home ownership a more affordable reality for the next generation of home buyers.
“I welcome the move from many landlords who have already set ground rent on their new leases to zero and I urge others to follow suit ahead of this becoming law.”
The department says the move is part of a package of measures that will be the biggest reforms to English property law for 40 years.
Last January, it announced that leaseholders will be given the right to extend their leases to 990 years at zero ground rent. The department added that it would launch an online calculator to help leaseholders find out how much it would cost to buy their freehold or extend their lease.
Also, last December the Competition Market Authority secured commitments from Taylor Wimpey to stop the housebuilder from doubling ground rents every 10 years.
The watchdog also secured commitments from Aviva, Persimmon, Countryside Properties, Taylor Wimpey and others to ensure that leaseholders in properties where these firms own the freehold will see ground rents returned to the rate it was when they first bought their home.
The CMA is continuing its investigation into Barratt Developments, Brigante Properties and the investment group Abacus Land and Adriatic Land.
If you own a leasehold property don’t forget the term remaining is vital when valuing a property. If you need a valuation then feel free to get in contact via the links below.
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