Enfranchisement & Leasehold Reform - 2025 Virtual Conference

Introduction

The fast-paced world of enfranchisement and leasehold reform continues to evolve for landlords and tenants, and as advisors, it’s crucial to stay informed.

Join our 2025 virtual conference, chaired by Mark Chick and a panel of leading experts who will guide you through the latest developments and key changes in this dynamic field. This virtual conference offers you the opportunity to engage directly with the experts during the interactive Q&A sessions, ensuring you leave with a comprehensive understanding of the issues shaping your landlord and tenant practice.

Conference Agenda

This live and interactive 5 hour conference will cover the following:

10am-11am: The Reforms - Where Are We Now?

Chair: Mark Chick, Bishop & Sewell

In this session we will consider the current status of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Bill including the proposed changes in relation to qualification, valuation (and overview), and its likely impact in practice.

Morning Break

11:10am-12:10pm: 'Report on title': Collective Enfranchisement & Right of First Refusal

Mari Knowles, Commonhold and Leasehold Experts Limited

In a changing landscape, there is now an ever-growing list of advice which you must give to your clients before, during and after a collective claim. This session will look at the report on title to the nominee purchase before completion, including steps the nominee purchaser must take on and after acquisition.

• The basic report on title
• Fire and building safety handover on completion
• New post-completion requirements for nominee purchaser to comply with
• Checklist when acting for the landlord

12:10pm-1:10pm: Enfranchisement Case Law Update

Richard Alford, Tanfield Chambers

This session will review the latest enfranchisement case law, including:

• A1 Properties v Tudor Studios (UKSC) - Notice requirements
• Daejan v Collins - Leasehold relativity
• Winchester Park v 1 Palace Gate Freehold - Procedure
• Gray's Inn Investments v Jolleys - Assignment of s.42 notices

Break for lunch

2-3pm: Construction Law - A Focus on the Building Safety Act

Brenna Baye, Edwin Coe LLP

It has been just over two years since the Building Safety Act 2022 (the ‘BSA’) began to revolutionise the construction and property sectors. This year saw many of the new provisions come into force and much progress made by the FTT, Courts and the Building Safety Regulator in clarifying the new law.

This session will cover:

• New causes of action under the BSA including:
• Claims under the Defective Premises Act, Remediation Orders and Remediation Contribution Orders
• The FFT’s/Courts’ approach to these new causes of action
• The practicalities of remediating properties with building safety defects while ensuring compliance with BSA requirements including:
• What is required for the Golden Thread
• The new dutyholder obligations under building regulations
• The building control ‘gateway’ regime which applies to higher-risk buildings

Afternoon break

3:15-4:15pm: The Building Safety Act - The Wider Implications

Richard Alford, Tanfield Chambers

In this session, Richard Alford will discuss the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 on Leasehold Enfranchisement and what practitioners need to know. This session will include:

• Section 117 and the extent of special protections for ‘leaseholder-owned‘ blocks
• Lease extensions and qualifying leases: the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, s. 243
• Potential valuation implications following the BSA for both lease extensions and collective enfranchisement
• Recovering the costs of remediation works and building safety measures post-enfranchisement
• The amendments to the BSA in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024: relevant defects, landlord’s certificates, and service charges

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.