Rayner urges government to stand firm over £250 ground rents cap

‘If you are a leaseholder and your ground rent is more than £250, you’ll be paying less,’ Keir Starmer said in announcing the changes. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Freeholders may “resort to lawfare” to block the government’s £250 cap on ground rents, Angela Rayner has warned, as leasehold experts urged ministers to speed up the “glacial” pace of reform.

Keir Starmer announced a cap on ground rents for leaseholders in England and Wales as part of measures that also include a consultation on banning new leasehold flats and giving leaseholders the right to switch to commonhold.