02 November 2008
Conservative MP Stewart Jackson hit out at the the Labour government when he said it was a "ludicrous waste of time and energy not to enact legislation" that would make reforms of leasehold tenure operate better. He was speaking for the Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government Grant Chaps, at the ALEP Autumn Conference on 4 November, 2008
After discussions with ALEP, Mr Jackson on 27 October had tabled a question in Parliament asking about the progress of the implementation of Commonhold but still no date has been set for the publication of the consultation on the subject. Commonhold tenure is designed to progressively replace leasehold tenure that currently governs almost every flat in England and Wales and leaves flat-owners in a modern form of serfdom. Mr Jackson pledged that a future Conservative government would commit to undertaking a proper review of Commonhold including detailed comparisons with successful tenures in other countries, such as the US and Australia.
Other changes that he announced that the Conservatives would champion are:
- offering power of attorney to flat owners when Leasehold Enfranchisement legal notices need signing
- ensuring that there is a level playing field for Section 42 and Section 5 notices namely on both or neither require a deposit to be put up by flat-owners
- removing the 2 year ownership requirement for a statutory lease extension
Mr Jackson admitted that right now his party and the country has higher priorities than leasehold reform. But he acknowledged that MPs are "like amoeba - they move to the light" and that leasehold professionals should shine a light brightly on this incomplete area of the law.
The conference hosted over 100 specialists in the field of Leasehold Enfranchisement who came together for the first time since the tumultuous events in the housing and mortgage markets began. The conference included a syndicate session entitled 'How to Beat the Credit Crunch in Enfranchisement' and another brainstormed on improvements to the functioningof the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (LVT).
The second of the two keynote speakers was Barrister Philip Rainey, head of the property team at Tanfield Chambers. His talk is entitled, 'Was Aggio a Pyrric Victory? Recent decisions in case law and where do we go from here?'. He extensively used interactive voting technology to reveal that professionals feel the Lands Tribunal had fail to come to the correct decision.
This was the fourth national conference of ALEP (Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Professionals) and was held at the International Coffee Organisation, 22 Berners Street, London W1T 3DD. This autumn's conference has moved to this new larger location from the East India Club to reflect the rapidly growing membership of the association.
Available on request:
- detailed report from syndicates
- transcripts of speeches by Philip Rainey and Stuart Jackson
- images of speakers and delegates
- regulatory background
- interview with ALEP
BACKGROUND TO ALEP
Members of ALEP have proved that they have been involved in successful enfranchisement projects, they have the appropriate insurance and accreditations and agree to sign up to a set of standards and principles. ALEP has a strict code of practice and clear disciplinary procedure an will remove any member found to be in default.
ALEP undertakes a lobbying role and is a single port of call for media and others interested in understanding the present and future state of leasehold enfranchisement. It is the only cross-disciplinary membership body that represents professionals in the sector.
Notes to editors
Details on the legislation are available upon request.
Contact Mark Curtis at info@alep.org.uk or 0845 225 2277.
More information is available at www.alep.org.uk.
