Labour Party Conference Wishlist

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act has put significant changes into law, but there are still important areas that need to be resolved. Our wish for Labour Party Conference is for Government to provide clarity on what comes next and make progress on the reforms that will make the biggest practical difference to how residential buildings are managed.

“Reserve funds are one of those areas. At present, whether money can be collected towards future major works can depend on the wording of an individual lease. We believe appropriate reserve fund provision should become a statutory requirement, allowing buildings to plan properly for long-term maintenance and helping to reduce the risk of leaseholders suddenly facing substantial bills. The framework needs to recognise that every building is different, rather than prescribing a single level of contribution.

“We would also like to see meaningful reform of the Section 20 process. The current £250 per leaseholder threshold can mean relatively modest works trigger a full consultation, particularly in smaller buildings, adding time and administration costs. Leaseholders must continue to have proper scrutiny over how their money is spent, but the threshold and process need to reflect the realities and costs of maintaining buildings today.

“Alongside this, we need Government to conclude its work on mandatory qualifications and regulation of managing agents. We have consistently supported this and would like to see it progressed without further delay. These reforms rely on people making complex judgements about individual buildings, so ensuring those people are properly qualified, experienced and accountable is fundamental to making the wider system work.

“The legislation is only part of the picture. The next step should be turning the outstanding reforms into a coherent framework that allows buildings to be properly planned for and maintained, while giving leaseholders the protection, transparency and confidence they need and deserve.