^ Nickie sat down with Harry Scoffin, long-time leasehold campaigner and Director of Commonhold Now, to discuss the upcoming Leasehold Reform Bill set for the King’s Speech on 7 November.
The leasehold system is out of date. Wholesale reform is needed to give leaseholders control of their homes, charges, and service providers. That’s why, since being elected as Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the case with Ministers and Government advisers of the importance of leasehold reform. Nickie also held roundtable discussions with many local leaseholders to hear their lived experiences and how they can effect change together.
Leasehold reform legislation is now progressing through Parliament. It is critical for the Two Cities and aims to make service charges more transparent, ease financial concerns over a tribunal, increase the standard lease extension term for houses and flats to 990 years, remove marriage value, make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold, and support leaseholders who want to manage their blocks. There is more it can do though, and Nickie is working tirelessly to perfect the Bill, including through her amendments. From the responses to Nickie's leasehold survey and listening to local people, she has put forward amendments to the Bill to enhance eligibility for the Right to Manage to allow more leaseholders to take over the management of their building, as well as an amendment regarding Section 24 court-appointed managers.
Nickie will continue to work tirelessly to ensure this critical Bill is perfected.
