1st September 2025 | Caroline Vernon | Residential Property, Buying a Property, Property, Real Estate

The Government has published the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025, which came into force on 31 January 2025.

This brings into force Section 27 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (“LAFRA 2024”). This means that it is no longer necessary for:

  • the tenant of a leasehold house looking to purchase the freehold or extend their lease under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (“LRA 1967”) to have owned their house for the last two years; or
  • the tenant of a leasehold flat seeking to extend their lease under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (“LRHUDA 1993”) to have owned their flat for two years before making a claim.

Section 27 also abolishes some ancillary provisions regarding the service of notices by personal representatives where the tenant has died.  The previous situation was that a personal representative could serve a notice of claim in the deceased tenant’s name within the first two years of the tenant’s death and then in their own name after two years.  Under LAFRA 2024, personal representatives remain able to make claims in the deceased tenant’s name, provided the tenant is registered at the Land Registry as the owner of the property.

Some minor amendments are also made to the prescribed form notices of claim to acquire the freehold or an extended lease of a house under the LRA 1967.

The Regulations only bring into force Section 27 of LAFRA 2024. So, whilst the qualifying criteria is removed, all other mechanics of lease extensions and freehold purchases of houses and flats and acquisition of the right to manage remain the same.

Other provisions of LAFRA 2024 concerning valuation, increasing the qualifying threshold for right to manage and enfranchisement to 50% non-residential parts, the ban on the creation of new leasehold houses and increasing regulation of service charges and estate management charges have not been brought into force and there is no fixed date set by the Government to implement the remainder of LAFRA 2024. This may depend on the outcome of judicial review proceedings being brought against the Government by various landlords in respect of some of the provisions of LAFRA 2024.

These Regulations are the start of a series of changes intended to be brought into force by the Government which will radically alter the leasehold landscape.

At Sherrards Solicitors, we provide expert legal guidance on the evolving reforms, ensuring property owners, investors, and developers are well-prepared for the future of property ownership.

To find out more, contact the Residential Real Estate team here or contact Caroline using the details below.

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