EXPERTS
Agony agent Readers put their property questions to our guest panel of experts: solicitors, mortgage advisers, property gurus and shared ownership providers
THIS MONTH’S PANEL OF EXPERTS
Gemma Gibson , Resale Manager, SOWN
Paula Higgins , Chief Executive, HomeOwners Alliance
Leasehold Reform Q I have heard a lot of noise about Leasehold Reform recently. How will this affect me as a first time buyer? Poppy Crane,Tooting A Leasehold reform has been in the news a lot lately, and as a first time buyer it’s completely normal to wonder what it all means for you.The good news is that many of the changes are designed to make owning a home simpler, fairer and a lot less stressful. One of the biggest changes is around lease extensions. In the past, the idea of your lease “running down” could feel pretty worrying, especially if you were buying a flat with fewer years left on the term. Under the new reforms, leaseholders will have the right to extend their lease by hundreds of years, giving you long-term security and removing a concern that used to put people off buying certain properties. Another frustration that’s being tackled is the timing. Previously, you had to own your home for two years before you were even allowed to extend the lease.That rule has been removed, which means you won’t be stuck waiting if you buy a property with a shorter lease – you can take action straightaway, rather than watching the term run down. Ground rent is also getting a serious overhaul. A lot of buyers have been caught off-guard in the past when their ground rent increased unexpectedly.The reforms aim to cap and control these charges, making them much more predictable and reducing the risk of unpleasant surprises later on. A major shift is also happening with new build flats too. Instead of being sold as leasehold, future flats are expected to move to a system where you own your home outright and share control of the building with your neighbours (known as Commonhold).This gives homeowners a much stronger voice and avoids the old scenario of distant landlords making decisions on your behalf. It’s worth mentioning that not everything changes overnight. Some reforms still need further legislation before they come into effect, so you may see these changes introduced gradually. Overall, the direction appears very positive for first time buyers: more transparency, more rights and a system that feels far more balanced. If you’re looking at a leasehold home, speak to your conveyancer about how these changes apply now and what might benefit you further down the line.
Adam Crawford , Senior Associate (CLC), Penningtons Manches Cooper
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Email your questions to: lynda@ rsttimebuyermag.co.uk
Adam Crawford
90 First Time Buyer April/May 2026
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