The UK government has confirmed its intention to introduce mandatory regulation for leasehold managing agents. This will require agents to obtain licences and adhere to professional standards to operate.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) announced these measures as part of its ongoing leasehold reform programme. Under the proposals, property managing agents will need appropriate qualifications and licences, which a regulator can revoke if standards are not met.
The government also plans to cap fees charged by freeholders for granting permissions, such as keeping pets or making cosmetic changes. These caps will also apply to privately managed estates where homeowners currently face charges for minor alterations. Administrative fees, including those for providing documents or processing mortgage provider changes, are also targeted for restriction. A public consultation will determine the scope and specific amounts for each capped item.
These measures are designed to benefit over five million existing leaseholders and future homeowners. However, no implementation timeline has been provided, though the government stated its commitment to bringing forward the changes "as soon as possible".