BBC R4 MoneyBox on retirement housing on Saturday September 9. It will address data and concerns we have raised over dismal retirement resale values. Separately, McCarthy and Stone argues in the Times today that it won't be able to build its flats if it loses freehold sales and the ground rent income.
The former ARMA regulator Sally Keeble, who resigned her post last month claiming unacceptable interference in her independent role, outlines for LKP five areas where statutory regulation in leasehold is required. The full reasons for her resignation are given here In her article below, it is clear that Mrs Keeble – a Labour MP for […]
… Regulation must have ‘sufficient independence and robustness to withstand industry pressures’ The former ARMA regulator Sally Keeble resigned from her post last month because she claims the trade body scrapped a regulatory case against Warwick Estates over a lift shaft fatality. Mrs Keeble, a Labour MP for 13 years and former leader of Southwark […]
Doubtless, there will be many responses to the leasehold survey. Doubtless, there will be many slick and professional responses from bodies such as LKP who represent the best interests of leaseholders on the one hand and developers who seek to protect the interests of developers/ freeholders/managing agents/solicitors on the other. Many may be put off […]
Current number of members 110 + 4 friends Updates this month: 01/09/17 Viscount Astor joined as the 100th member of the group 01/09/17 Sir Vince Cable MP for Twickenham and Lib Dem Leader joined 01/09/17 Nick Brown MP for Newcastle East joined 01/09/17 Bob Niel MP for Bromley & Chislehurst joined 01/09/17 Dan Carden MP […]
Self-regulation of the scandal-prone residential property management sector is in disarray after an ARMA member threatened to sue the trade body for tens of thousands of pounds. Separately, former Labour MP Sally Keeble has stepped down as the ARMA regulator having only accepted the post a year ago. Reports are reaching LKP that ARMA has […]
The issue of conveyancing solicitors recommended by developers failing to warn buyers of toxic lease terms was raised in the Daily Mail yesterday. Both developers and estate agent chains have panels of solicitors they recommend to unwary buyers – Countryside Properties plc even terms them “approved” solicitors. So far in LKP’s two surveys of thousands […]
By Micheal Epstein Leasehold and the whole concept of leasehold is a feudal legacy that is well past it’s time. Indeed, the word “feudal” is derived from the “fee” that a tenant paid his landlord for use of the land. There is much misunderstanding about freehold and leasehold. A simple explanation is that a freeholder […]
NATIONAL LEASEHOLD CAMPAIGN (NLC) ARE HOLDING A MINUTES SILENCE TO HONOUR GRENFELL TOWER VICTIMS. Today at 1500hrs the National Leasehold Campaign will fall silent. 7200 strong members of the NLC will stand in solidarity today to hold a minute’s silence to honour all Grenfell Tower Victims. “As fellow leaseholders we stand united” Across UK, our […]
UPDATED with weekend press reports (see below) Why is ex-headteacher, 85, allegedly seeing his ground rent rise from £50pa to £8,000pa? Since December last year, the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership has been contacted by National Trust leaseholders – there are around 300 in total – some of whom face crippling rises in ground rent. The issue […]
Four in five avoid new build homes Inside Housing, news, analysis, and comment about the social housing sector in the UK. Research commissioned by bridging lender Market Financial Solutions (MFS) revealed that 81% of adults would rather live in an older home than a new build, Inside Housing reports. And 79% of those responding to […]
Building tycoons using discounts to snap up family homes Bosses of British building firms are buying up homes from own developments They are taking advantage of company perks including staff discount schemes Many of the homes were earmarked for young families and first-time buyers It comes as Britain is currently facing a ‘chronic shortage’ of […]
The Conveyancing Association says it is going to deliver a “full and frank” response to Sajid Javid’s consultation on the leasehold sector. “It’s clear that we want to move away from leasehold being used purely as a motive to generate income, and produce ever-increasing profits for whoever might own the freehold,” writes Eddie Goldsmith, the […]
This article offers some tips on responding to the government consultation on “tackling unfair practices in the leasehold market”. It gives you links to some of the documents you might want to read and gives an explanation of some of the questions asked in the consultation as well as highlighting some of the issues you […]
By Sebastian O’Kelly Persimmon share prices have surged 30 per cent to £457.4 million in the first half of the year – boosted by rip-off leasehold houses and the taxpayer-funded Help To Buy scheme. It means Jeff Fairburn, the CEO of the company, is in line for an absurd £125 million bonus. Unlike Tony Pidgley, […]
By Michael Epstein Remember the days of the funfair? It wasn’t complete without candyfloss. That huge mound on a stick that completely disappeared into nothingness when we tried to eat it. Of course, that is because candyfloss is basically sugar, corn syrup , flavouring and colouring. All this is spun at a very high speed […]
Less than 2% worried about about ground rents when buying a flat Less than 5% have a good understanding of commonhold, but … … APPG on September 11 is to consider the ground rent scandal, the government response to it … and the need for commonhold to replace leasehold The LKP-accredited management company Urban Owners […]
What’s the policy of the other housebuilders? Yet another plc housebuilder has decided that selling leasehold houses is bad idea: Bovis. It joins Taylor Wimpey in pulling out of this game. Gleeson Homes, of course, never got involved: What is the difference between Freehold and Leasehold? It may seem like technical legal language, but there […]
How a legal loophole allows British builders to transfer the ownership of flats into hands of hidden investors LONDON – A few words in a law designed to protect homeowners appear to have been used by major housebuilders to sell off freehold rights to investors, leaving the ultimate ownership of flats in the hands of […]
