Back in October 2025, the High Court firmly dismissed major UK freeholders’ arguments that certain reforms in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 breached their property rights under Article 1 Protocol 1 (A1P1) ECHR in Arc Time Freehold Income Authorised Fund & others v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWHC 2751 (Admin).

Yesterday’s King’s Speech confirmed that the Government intends to continue with further leasehold and commonhold reform legislation during the current Parliamentary session.

The speech itself contained only a brief reference to leasehold reform, stating: “My Ministers will bring forward legislation to increase long-term investment in social housing and to reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents.”

However, accompanying Government briefings and subsequent ministerial commentary make clear that the proposed reforms are intended to go significantly further than the measures already contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA 2024).

The Government has announced new legislation to prevent private residential tenants from being swept into the scope of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on rent as an unintended consequence of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025), which comes into force on 1 May 2026.

The change sits against a dramatic statutory overhaul that substantially strengthens tenant security and increases compliance obligations for landlords.