Southwark Liberal Democrats call for leasehold to be abolished in face of “timid” approach from Labour

Southwark Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Government’s proposed leasehold reforms – saying that whilst the ground rent cap is welcome progress, much more work needs to be done to end what they’re dubbing “fleecehold”.  

The opposition party have joined the London Liberal Democrats’ renewed campaign to abolish all ground rents on existing leases, cap service and management charges, and abolish leasehold altogether – which Labour’s reforms stop short of.  

A petition to scrap ground rents altogether has been launched on the London Liberal Democrats website, which can be found here: End Unfair Charges on Leaseholders - London Liberal Democrats 

Francesco Guerrierri, a Bermondsey-based leaseholder and campaigner recently successfully exercised the “right to manage” in his block – but still faces continued issues due to the complexity remaining in legislation.  

Francesco Guerrieri said: 

“The frustration from leaseholders like me is palpable across Southwark and the country – there are almost five million leaseholders in the UK trapped with extortionate charges that go up every year, poor service, and a fundamental lack of control over their own home.  

It’s deeply disappointing to see piecemeal tinkering from Labour instead of the urgent overhaul we desperately need. 

Capping ground rents is a start – but for real change we need to go much further to deliver a real fair deal for leaseholders. I’m proud to support the Liberal Democrats much bolder plan to modernise our housing system and get rid of our absurd fleecehold arrangements in their entirety”.  

Southwark Liberal Democrat deputy group leader Cllr Rachel Bentley added: 

“The announced cap on ground rents will come as welcome relief to leaseholders – but these changes are far too timid in the face of the feudal system leaseholders find themselves trapped in. This lack of action is unsurprising given how our local Labour council treat their own leaseholders! Liberal Democrats are fighting hard to go much further to make sure that everyone has a home they have control over and can afford.”