INITIAL THOUGHTS ON GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO E-PETITION
"Commonhold was provided for as an alternative to leasehold as part of Government's commitment to promote housing choice. Such choice would not be achieved by either imposing a ban on future leasehold development, or abolishing leasehold in general." Govt response to e-petition.

Should we point out that the leasehold valuations tribunals are not without their faults? Are we not made brutally aware of this when we turn up to represent ourselves at these 'informal courts' to find that the landlord can afford Queens Counsel barristers to oppose us?

Should we point out that the introduction of Commonhold through the Commonhold Leasehold Reform Act of 2002 has been such an abismal failure. In the 5 years since the Act was passed only a tiny handful of commonhold developments have been created.
Surely the Act was not only doomed to fail but predicted to fail at the time. Whilst there is a rising market, given a choice between retaining a continuing interest in property or abandoning their interest for all time landlords will always see it as in their interest to opt for granting leases rather than commonhold.

The Government response brings the revelation that Commonhold was offered as part of Government's commitment to promote housing choice!! Does this look like post justification or just .... insanity? Is it worth asking ...Choice for whom? This drivel is barely worthy of comment. Was anyone aware of this choice element back when the Commonhold Leasehold Reform Bill was being debated?

The response spells out some problems associated with the enforced conversion of leasehold to commonhold and the compensation that landlords would expect. "It could be argued that this kind of forced conversion would amount to a form of compulsory purchase." GULP!! Doesn't compulsory purchase happen on Planet Politician? Why can Government compulsorily purchase market failed housing to suit its pathfinder nonsense but not freehold interests where it would benefit the residents?

We might want to concede that the enforced conversion of existing leasehold to commonhold would require some considerable work. We might note that the investigation of the hurdles to be overcome would expose the inherent faults in so-called 'mixed developments'.

But to argue that Commonhold should not be used for all new developments on the grounds that this would limit choice is just laughable!!!

If you have comments to make about the Government reponse to the e-peptition then you might like to post them on the UK-Leaseholder
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