header-logo header-logo

Leasehold reform: Unfinished business

10 October 2025 / Louise Uphill
Issue: 8134 / Categories: Opinion , Property , Leasehold
printer mail-detail
231939
Rushed reform & delayed implementation: Louise Uphill on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024

The days of the previous government, which culminated in the ‘wash-up’ of Bills including the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA 2024), sometimes feels like a distant era. But for the many leaseholders for whom that milestone was meant to herald long-awaited change, the wait continues.

LAFRA 2024 promised fairness, simplicity and reduced costs in what was portrayed as an overly complex and archaic system.

But a year on, the reality is far from transformative. Despite headline-grabbing proposals—from abolishing the payment of marriage value to introducing caps on ground rent and extending leases to 990 years—too few of the Act’s key provisions have been implemented. The market remains stalled, practitioners are in limbo, and leaseholders are left grappling with legal uncertainty, valuation dilemmas and a fundamental question: should they act now or wait?

A ‘dog’s dinner’?

LAFRA 2024 was passed in the closing days of the last Parliament. Many professionals working in leasehold enfranchisement warned

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dispute resolution team welcomes associate in London

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Special education needs and mental capacity expert joins as partner

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School highlights a turbulent end to 2025 in the civil courts, from the looming appeal in Mazur to judicial frustration with ever-expanding bundles, in his final NLJ 'The insider' column of the year
Antonia Glover of Quinn Emanuel outlines sweeping transparency reforms following the work of the Transparency and Open Justice Board in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll