There has been significant national, regional and trade coverage of the government’s announcement that it has taken the next steps to reform the feudal leasehold system. The government confirmed that it would progress with plans to improve transparency and ensure greater protection against hidden costs. This includes new requirements on landlords to be more upfront about service charge costs and improve leaseholders’ access to building information. New consultations have also launched, marking the next step in delivering an easier process for leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold.

PA ran positive copy of the announcement, which has been picked up widely. The Independent and LBC (online) both reflected the write-up, leading on the news that leaseholders could begin to benefit from the reforms from 2027. It sets out that leaseholders will benefit from clearer information about service charges, as well as an easier process to extend their leasehold or buy their freehold. It quotes the Housing Minister saying that the changes “bring the feudal leasehold system to an end” and that as we “move towards a commonhold future, existing leaseholders will not be left behind.” It also quotes the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) whose Chief Executive Kion Ahadi recognised the changes as an “important step forward”. LEASE is an independent, government-funded body helping leaseholders with free legal advice.

The PA copy has also been syndicated widely in regional online titles across the country, including the London Evening Standard, Northwich Guardian, Kilburn Times, Express & Star, Kent Online, North Wales Chronicle, Manchester Evening News and Suffolk News.

The Times (p15) also positively explains that the new protections due “to take effect from early as next year” are part of a long-awaited move to “bring the feudal leasehold system to an end”. It says landlords will have to give leaseholders an annual report on building’s conditions and plans for significant works and issue service charge demands with a standardised form that will make bills more transparent. It also says the changes close a loophole that left flat owners paying as much as £60,000 for their landlords’ legal costs. It quotes the Housing Minister in full, as well as the National Leasehold Campaign who said the consultation responses highlight the “scale of unfinished leasehold reform”.

Trade titles have covered the update, with Inside Housing, Today’s Conveyancer, Housing Today, and Mortgage Solutions all reporting on the news. Coverage primarily leads on plans to make sure leaseholders receive clearer information about their service charges and points to the new consultations.

Want more details on what we announced? Take a look at our explainer!

https://mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/16/coverage-of-milestone-in-delivering-leasehold-reforms/