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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Kiran Stacey Political correspondent

Gove’s leasehold reform bill does not ban leaseholds on new-build houses

New houses on a construction site with scaffolding surrounding the properties
Michael Gove, the housing secretary, has described the leasehold system in the UK as ‘feudal’. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

Michael Gove’s flagship bill to end leaseholds on newly built houses in England and Wales contains no provision to end leaseholds on newly built houses in England and Wales, as the key clauses to do so were omitted in a last-minute rush to write it.

The housing secretary unveiled his long-promised leasehold reform bill this week, after the government announced it in the king’s speech. Gove has long promised to end what he calls the “feudal” leasehold system, which is unique to England and Wales among developed nations.

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