Ground rents abolished for new leasehold properties

The Law Society has welcomed planning changes proposed in the Queen’s Speech, but warned hurried reform must not lead to physical environment damage or the construction of unsuitable housing. Society President I. Stephanie Boyce welcomed the abolition of ground rents for new leasehold properties, but said this only deals with part of the problem and expressed hope that wider reforms, such as enfranchisement – which would make it simpler to extend leases or buy a share of a freehold – would be brought forward soon.