Long Leaseholders’ Information and Queries

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was rushed through Parliament just before its dissolution in May 2024. To make it eligible for Royal Assent many of the essential elements relevant to National Trust leaseholders were left to be covered by Statutory Instruments. A Statutory Instrument (SI) is a form of UK secondary legislation, also known as delegated or subordinate legislation, which allows government ministers to amend, bring into force, or update existing Acts of Parliament without needing a new Act.

The Government is currently working through the SIs required to make the Act work in practice. Of particular importance to NT leaseholders are those relating to the method of premium calculation for lease extensions. The Government has undertaken to publish a complete definition of premium calculations upon completion of the SIs. Until they are published it is not possible to predict either the cost or the timescale of the lease extension process.

TANT and the National Trust engaged jointly with the Law Commission during the preparation of their report on leasehold reform published in July 2020.

Long leaseholders who will benefit from these arrangements should have received a letter in September 2019 from their regional National Trust office specifically stating that their property is eligible for the proposed arrangements. If you cannot recall receiving or have misplaced the letter you can clarify your situation by contacting the email below and requesting confirmation of your eligibility.

Following a number of meetings with the Trust to seek clarity on the matter we have put together advice for those considering applying for a voluntary extension.

TANT approached The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners for a list of expert advisers with experience in dealing with the Trust on lease matters. You can see their full membership on their website https://www.alep.org.uk/.

TANT cannot endorse any particular practice, and you should make your own enquiries as to their suitability for your situation.

An important contribution to the successful removal of MGR and agreeing the potential extension of leases to 990 years was due to long leaseholders writing to their local MPs and other influencers to alert them to the unique situation faced by National Trust leaseholders.

Given the current slow progress in resolving the SIs needed to finalise the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 TANT would urge all National Trust long leaseholders to continue to lobby their local MP and any other influential party. A standard letter template can be found below. Please free to personalise it to suit your particular circumstances.

We use a database of long leaseholders to keep all up to date with matters relevant to their lease and to provide supporting documentation such as letter templates. The greater the number of long leaseholders on the database the stronger out voice with the National Trust and other parties.

Your details will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

To join the database contact Bernard Johnston with your name, address and email address.