What was missing from the king’s speech? From votes for 16-year-olds to leasehold reform
A crackdown on the use of overseas workers and an AI bill were also missing from the speech
June 2024
Your problems, with Anna Tims
L&Q sees the flaw in its 80% price rise
Leaseholders were faced by a huge increase in service charges, which the housing association now realises was a mistake
May 2024
Lost laws: which legislation will slip through the net before the UK election?
While some bills will be dealt with swiftly in the ‘wash-up’ period in parliament, others could fall by the wayside
April 2024
Sadiq Khan: leaseholders in England should have the right to withhold service charges
Secret home insurance commissions raking in millions for landlords in England and Wales
March 2024
Politics live with Andrew Sparrow
Labour has 99% chance of forming next government, says elections expert – as it happened
Politics live with Andrew Sparrow
Chinese ‘state-affiliated’ organisations behind cyber-attacks on MPs and Electoral Commission, Dowden says – as it happened
Tories accused of ditching manifesto pledge to remove ground rents
Ground rent not legally or commercially necessary, says UK watchdog
February 2024
Anti-leasehold bill contains loopholes for developers, say campaigners
‘It’s literally giving somebody money for nothing’: the battle to reform property leaseholds
January 2024
Tell us: have you experienced issues with extending leases or high ground rents?
We would like to hear from people in England and Wales who have had issues trying to extend their leases – and those experiencing exorbitant ground rents
Freeholders living off ‘rentier structure’ with ‘exorbitant’ ground rent, MPs say
MPs questioned freeholder groups in committee hearing over leasehold reform bill
‘It’s so cold’: leaseholders left without central heating in London block
Man in 80s and mother of baby among residents hit by cold conditions amid dispute over who is responsible for repair
November 2023
Gove’s leasehold reform bill does not ban leaseholds on new-build houses
Rush to write legislation means clauses to ban the leaseholds will be added via amendments
What policies will be in king’s speech and what will be left out?
About 20 bills are expected to be included as Rishi Sunak tries to open key dividing lines with Labour
Labour promises rapid housing action after ‘years of Tory paper promises’
The Observer view on leasehold: let’s abolish this antiquated and unfair system
Tory MPs to challenge government if leaseholds ban does not apply to flats
May 2023
Expert committee on England home ownership has not met for over a year
Exclusive: Campaigners warn government pledge to reform leasehold system is slipping down agenda
