Gove’s reform bill will not ban leaseholds on new-build houses after all

Rush to write legislation means clauses to ban the leaseholds will be added via amendments

Michael Gove’s flagship bill to end leaseholds on newly built houses in England and Wales does not actually 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.