Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: key changes and legal risks—Solicitors Journal
Shabnam Ali-Khan has contributed an article to Solicitors Journal which explores the key reforms proposed in the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and the legal and practical risks associated with its implementation. Partner Pauline Lam and senior associate Caroline Brosnan are also quoted in the article.
The article examines the government’s proposed overhaul of the leasehold system, including making commonhold the default tenure for new flats, capping ground rents, abolishing forfeiture, and simplifying conversion from leasehold to commonhold. While these measures aim to address long-standing imbalances and consumer dissatisfaction in the leasehold system, Ali-Khan highlights concerns about execution, drawing on past issues with rushed legislation such as the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act. She stresses the importance of careful consultation and practical workability, warning that without proper implementation, the reforms could create uncertainty for practitioners, lenders, and property owners despite their intended benefits.
Reform is necessary, but it must be workable, evidence based and meaningful consultation with the professionals who will have to run it day to day is crucial.
The full article is available to view on Solicitors Journal.
About Shabnam
Shabnam Ali-Khan is a partner in the residential property team. She specialises in lease extension and enfranchisement matters, primarily under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 working with a variety of clients ranging from high-net-worth individuals and companies to individual leaseholders and investor landlords.
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