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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jessica Murray and Robyn Vinter

New flats in England and Wales may soon all be commonhold. But what does it mean?

Maggie Coles and Ele Weeks-Bell in front of a block of flats
Maggie Coles (left) and Ele Weeks-Bell in front of their block in Bristol. Photograph: Sam Frost/The Guardian

When neighbours Ele Weeks-Bell and Maggie Coles were setting up their commonhold flats 15 years ago, they struggled to find a lawyer who could help them.

“We were trying to find solicitors that knew anything about commonhold and getting a blank every time,” said Weeks-Bell. “And most mortgage companies were just like, no one has ever done this before, so we’re not prepared to mortgage you, because it’s a huge risk.”

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