Following consideration of LKP data, the government has today accepted that that the leasehold sector is far larger than was thought: there are 4.1 million leasehold properties in the private sector in England.
This is a 66 per cent increase on previous estimates of 2.5 million.
“The Leasehold Knowledge Partnership has been working with DCLG on the new data methodology,” said the DCLG. “We see this as a very positive example of partnership working and builds on the work done by LKP.”
Our figures were the result of research by LKP co-director Martin Boyd.
Over the last six months LKP has been working with DCLG on the new data methodology to assess the size of the leasehold sector.
This work builds in part from the report published by LKP earlier this year that looked to provide the first robust set of data on the size and structure of the sector.
For years the sector has worked with inaccurate data and there are many implications following on from DCLG’s new figures.
As a result of the figures, leasehold is suddenly accepted as a much larger proportion of the UK housing stock. That in turn will impact on housing strategy and DCLG thinking on leasehold issues.
LKP will continue to develop our work on the size of the sector that uses a different but compatible methodology to that being used by DCLG. Our figures now very closely match those from DCLG in the private sector in England.
We will continue to research additional data on the number of flats in the social sector, as well as those properties in Wales.
Our initial figure published earlier this year produced a total of 5.37 million flats. This will now grow to include leasehold houses found in the DCLG data.
The LKP new estimate now suggests a total of 6.6 million flats and leasehold houses in England and Wales across both the private and social sector.
It is perhaps indicative of complacency at all levels in the leasehold sector that the revised figures were prompted by a minnow organisation of volunteers, rather than the well-funded trade bodies, professional property management institutes or, indeed, the Leasehold Advisory Service.
Curiously, one of the first to notice that leasehold has suddenly grown is freeholders’ barrister Justin Bates.
Bates was quick off the mark to see the potential for a few bob Tweeting that “and all 4.1 million need their own copy of his book entitled [REDACTED …] available from [REDACTED …] ….”
Insider
All political parties take note!! 4..1 million potential voters for those brave enough to put in thier manifesto meaningful and robust legislation to protect the intersts of leaseholders.
What an opportunity..
Michael Epstein
Insider,
The figure of 4.1 million voters is understated. That assumes that only one voter lives in each leasehold property. Allowing for 1 million to let properties that gives a potential of 6.2 million votes. Discuss!
charles willis
ME,
I have begun informing our residents that the Tories’ are to busy to understand the way the elderly are treated, Eric Pickles the person who can really help us is, where???
As for Labour and the LDP, do they know we exist???
m. epstein
Yes Chas, They all now know..and they all now know that the unfair treatment of leaseholders has to stop. That they all now now this is down to the hard work and dedication of those at LKP and Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation (and don’t forget the original TTAS, Peverel Action and now About Peverel, nor to those such as you that post on the sites.)
Perhaps Justin Bates’s book is due for a major re-write?
admin
LKP / Campaign against retirement leasehold exploitation will shortly be examining MPs involvement in leasehold issues, in plenty of time for the election next year.
We will be looking at the decent and committed such as Peter Bottomley, Jim Fitzpatrick and Ed Davey (representing all three major parties), and those who have involved themselves in particular issues wholly or just to a degree, and those who leasehold owners should vote to boot out.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Michael Epstein
GRANT SHAPPS PLEASE!
AM
So, in effect, they split the difference 😀