The Government launched its latest leasehold reform via social media, but behind the headlines, the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill could cause serious ripples across the property market.

In this episode, we explore what happens when ground rent income disappears, why commonhold has struggled for 20 years, and whether calling it something other than “common” might have helped. More importantly, we ask: can commonhold function at scale in complex urban developments?

Richard and Lizzie explore:

• Why leasehold became the dominant structure for flats and the historic legal problem behind it.

• Why commonhold failed to gain traction after its introduction in 2004 by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002..

• What the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would change in practice, including restrictions on creating new long leasehold flats.

• The practical governance and liability risks for commonhold associations, particularly in higher-risk buildings.

• Whether commonhold can realistically function at scale in complex urban and mixed-use developments.

• What developers, investors and affordable housing providers should be considering now.

If you work in development, investment, or affordable housing, commonhold is not something you can afford to ignore.