On 7 November King Charles gave his first speech as King opening
the new session of Parliament, probably the last before a General
Election is called. As is traditional, he listed the Government's
proposed programme of legislation for the session. Apart from
the Renter's Reform Bill, which has been carried over from the last
Parliamentary session and has already received its Second Reading
in the House of Commons, the only housing bill proposed is a
Leasehold Reform Bill. This will require new houses to be
sold freehold, although leasehold sales may continue.
Protection for existing leaseholders may include a cap on leasehold
charges, although this proposal is subject to consultation.
The Bill has disappointed organisations such as Commonhold Now,
which has argued for all new flat sales to be commonhold or to
include a share of the freehold, and for an unqualified commitment
to cap leasehold charges.
Last of the Bills introduced in that previous session, the
Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, which includes measures to
introduce an Infrastructure Levy, has now received Royal
Assent.
THE KING'S SPEECH 2023
Commonhold Now Misaligned incentives
report