
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


The government recently introduced new laws to protect leaseholders from large ground rent increases. But campaigners say more widespread changes are needed to properly protect the millions of leaseholders in England and Wales.
The cladding scandal has highlighted just how few rights leaseholders have when it comes to what happens to the buildings they live in. Felicity Hannah discovers there are many other issues they face.
A change in planning law means freeholders can now build extra apartments on top of blocks of flats without having to get planning permission. While such developments could bring in millions of pounds for landlords, the leaseholders can't object and in some cases could see the value of their homes plummet. Felicity speaks to residents who say one such development has turned their lives into a nightmare
Other leaseholders have been left reeling after their council landlord landed them with estimated bills of over £100,000 for improvements to their homes. Under the rules, the homeowners can't challenge the costs and some fear they could have to sell up.
Many people are now asking: is the current leasehold system fit for purpose?
Reporter: Felicity Hannah
By BBC Radio 44.3
3232 ratings
The government recently introduced new laws to protect leaseholders from large ground rent increases. But campaigners say more widespread changes are needed to properly protect the millions of leaseholders in England and Wales.
The cladding scandal has highlighted just how few rights leaseholders have when it comes to what happens to the buildings they live in. Felicity Hannah discovers there are many other issues they face.
A change in planning law means freeholders can now build extra apartments on top of blocks of flats without having to get planning permission. While such developments could bring in millions of pounds for landlords, the leaseholders can't object and in some cases could see the value of their homes plummet. Felicity speaks to residents who say one such development has turned their lives into a nightmare
Other leaseholders have been left reeling after their council landlord landed them with estimated bills of over £100,000 for improvements to their homes. Under the rules, the homeowners can't challenge the costs and some fear they could have to sell up.
Many people are now asking: is the current leasehold system fit for purpose?
Reporter: Felicity Hannah

7,913 Listeners

376 Listeners

863 Listeners

1,067 Listeners

40 Listeners

5,576 Listeners

1,808 Listeners

1,729 Listeners

1,018 Listeners

113 Listeners

790 Listeners

75 Listeners

73 Listeners

75 Listeners

745 Listeners

3,245 Listeners

170 Listeners

779 Listeners

257 Listeners

1,600 Listeners

48 Listeners

54 Listeners

34 Listeners

51 Listeners

43 Listeners