Tonia Antoniazzi welcomes plan to protect leaseholders in Gower

Tonia Antoniazzi MP has welcomed the announcement from the Labour Government that ground rents will be capped at £250 a year. She said this step is long overdue and will make a real difference to leaseholders across Gower. 

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, confirmed the new cap as part of a wider package of measures designed to strengthen protections for leaseholders.

Ms Antoniazzi said the change will bring much needed relief to families who have faced unfair and escalating charges for many years.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP said ”I have met many constituents who own leasehold properties, and their biggest concern is they feel like they are being taken advantage of because the system lacks accountability and fairness. This cap will save some families hundreds of pounds each year and finally brings an end to one of the most unfair aspects of the leasehold system.

This is especially important here in Gower, where many leaseholders have struggled with unreasonable terms and rising ground rents. Labour is delivering the change that people voted for."

Tonia also welcomed the Government’s commitment to stop the creation of new leasehold flats. This delivers on Labour’s manifesto promise to bring an end to the outdated leasehold model.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP added "This support for leaseholders and help with the cost of living comes after many years in which the Conservative Government failed to act. The Green Party did not mention leasehold reform in its manifesto at all. Only a Labour Government is delivering the meaningful improvements that homeowners in Gower deserve."

Alongside the cap, the Government has published the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. This legislation will strengthen the rights and protections of more than five million leaseholders. The Moving to Commonhold consultation has also been launched to give residents and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the next stage of reform.

The announcement builds on the recently passed Renters Rights Act and on Labour’s planning reforms, which aim to ensure that everyone has a home that is safe, secure, and affordable.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "This is good news for homeowners. We are capping ground rent at £250. That means that if you are a leaseholder and your current ground rent is higher than £250, you will pay less.

Many people have told me this change will save them hundreds of pounds. This matters because the cost of living remains the most important issue facing people across the country.

We promised that we would take this action, and I am very pleased that we are now delivering on that promise."

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said "People who own flats can be forced to pay ground rents that rise to completely unaffordable levels. We said that we would support leaseholders, which is why we are introducing the ground rent cap. This will save money for millions of leaseholders and give them more control over their homes.

The leasehold system has damaged the dream of home ownership for many people. We are taking action where previous governments failed by strengthening home ownership and bringing an end to leasehold."

Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Labour MP for Gower, said "This is excellent news for leaseholders in Gower who have been trapped in an unfair system for far too long. The Conservative Party promised to fix this problem in 2017 but failed to act.
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I am proud that the Labour Government is taking real action after years of Conservative inaction. When I stood to be your MP in July 2024, our manifesto promised this reform. I am delighted that this protection for leaseholders is now being delivered."