‘The developers got greedy’: the women who took on the leasehold scandal
Katie Kendrick, Cath Williams and Jo Darbyshire were subject to tens of thousands of pounds of hidden costs as their new-build freeholds soared in value, making their homes unsellable. Their campaign could finally end the ‘feudal’ system in England and Wales
TL;DR
- Cath Williams, Katie Kendrick, and Jo Darbyshire campaigned against leasehold injustices, where hidden costs and escalating fees trapped homeowners.
- Their efforts led to the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which aim to ban new leasehold houses, cap ground rents, and extend lease terms.
- The campaigners established the National Leasehold Campaign (NLC), now 34,000 strong, and have been awarded OBEs for their work.
- While reforms benefit future buyers, existing leaseholders still face issues, including extortionate service charges and management company failures.
- The campaign has highlighted the severe mental health consequences of leasehold issues, with many leaseholders experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Freeholders are resisting the reforms through legal challenges, arguing that caps on ground rent devalue their assets.