Roger Hardwick, Partner at Brethertons LLP, and his team make some educated guesses for what 2020 may bring.
Earlier this month we were asked to consider our predictions for the property management industry in 2020, so the expert Enfranchisement and Residential Team here at Brethertons got their brains together and summarised the below predictions:
1. A response to MHCLG’s consultation paper: Building a Safer Future (proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system).
We anticipate that in response to the June 2019 paper, there will be the introduction of potentially new legislation and/or regulations (including potential amendments to the Building Regulations).
2. Possibly new regulator and central regulation for property managers (or at least steps towards that).
3. We’re expecting a response from the Law Commission on the leasehold enfranchisement, right to manage and commonhold consultation papers, starting with the price and cost of enfranchisement (which was originally due in October 2019).
4. We may see some legislation, following the government’s response to MHCLG’s consultation papers on Tackling Unfair Practices in the Leasehold Market, banning leasehold houses, preventing new leases from being granted with a ground rent (other than a peppercorn) and imposing a 15 working day turnaround time and maximum £200 plus VAT fee on LPE1s (leasehold property enquiry forms).
5. Parliamentary lobby campaign against fleecehold will gain support (estate rentcharges, onerous freehold covenants etc).
6. Continuing trend of rise in service charge and residential leasehold litigation.
We predict there will be more unusual/less traditional/“non service charge” litigation such as company litigation, noise nuisance, alterations, VAT, fire safety, health and safety, collective investment schemes etc.
7. Continuing rise in disputes in respect of cladding costs and further developments following the Grenfell Inquiry.
8. On a more personal note, Brethertons will be announcing some valuable additions to their team start (starting the year with 2020 vision).
If you are unfamiliar with any of the above, or would like to learn more about our predictions, give our team a call on 01295 270999 or sign up to our Knowledge Hub.
Roger Hardwick – Partner, Residential Leasehold at Brethertons
