O Government first indicated that they are looking into the potential of overhauling the current arrendamento enfranchisement process back in 2017 when it asked the Law Commission to review certain areas of leasehold.
Fast forward to January 2021, and a government press release announced that the Government were looking to make significant changes to the current system adopting many of the changes proposed by the Law Commission in its response. The press release focused on amendments that they say would make the process “fairer” for the leaseholder.
O panorama dos arrendamentos de longa duração
Há mais de três décadas que o Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 has governed leasehold enfranchisement. This legislation, however, has been a source of contention. Critics argue that the cost of extending a leaseholder’s lease was too high and that unwary purchasers of what appeared to be long leaseholds such as 99 years, would soon have to pay potentially significant sums to extend their lease.
Generally, the process has been considered favourable to the landlord as:
(1) receberiam prémios potencialmente significativos, especialmente quando o prazo do contrato de arrendamento fosse inferior a 80 anos, uma vez que isso atrairia o ‘valor de casamento’;
(2) o arrendatário era obrigado a pagar as despesas processuais razoáveis incorridas pelo senhorio.
Medida do Governo: O projeto de lei sobre a reforma do regime de arrendamento e da propriedade plena
No final de 2023, o governo revelou o projeto de lei sobre a reforma do regime de arrendamento e da propriedade plena, currently navigating its way through the Committee Stage. The Bill would make the following key amendments to the current leasehold enfranchisement system:
– Eliminar o requisito de que o arrendatário seja proprietário do imóvel há dois anos para dar início ao processo;
– Increase the compulsory extension from 90 years to a whopping 990 years;
– Eliminar a obrigação de o arrendatário pagar o ‘valor de casamento’;
– Eliminar a possibilidade de o senhorio recuperar os seus custos junto do arrendatário na maioria das situações.
Emancipação coletiva
The proposed amendments extend beyond individual leaseholders. Collective enfranchisement, particularly in mixed-use buildings, is also in for reform:
– The percentage limit of non-residential areas in mixed-use buildings that would prevent the residencial leaseholds from buying a freehold increase from 25% to 50%;
– O senhorio pode ser obrigado a assumir o arrendamento de volta de quaisquer apartamentos do edifício que não participem no programa, o que reduziria o prémio total a pagar.
O braço de ferro: senhorios vs. inquilinos
While these reforms bring a breath of fresh air for leaseholders, landlords may not be as thrilled. It is predicted that landlord lobbies may well put pressure on the Government to make amendments, especially about the effective abolition of marriage value. Some landlords vontade have bought propriedade e paid higher amounts based on the future premiums that would be received by leaseholders. They are now potentially set to lose out on considerable premiums with no compensation. There are questions as to whether this would go against the rights of the landlord, and this could potentially lead to litigation in this area.
O dilema dos arrendatários
Os arrendatários enfrentam agora um dilema. A perspetiva de esperar que estas reformas entrem em vigor, garantindo uma prorrogação mais longa e, potencialmente, poupando nos prémios, é tentadora. No entanto, a incerteza quanto à data em que estas alterações entrarão em vigor e se a versão final estará em conformidade com o projeto atual suscita preocupações. Esperar pode até levar a um aumento dos prémios ao abrigo do sistema atual.
Contactar-nos
In this comercial tug-of-war, each leaseholder must make a strategic decision. Ronald Fletcher Baker’s equipa especializada em aquisição de propriedade plena de arrendamentos stands ready to provide expert guidance, crafting tailored advice to suit the unique nuances of both leaseholders and freeholders. Begin your journey with the right strategic partner by your side. Contact us today.
Ben Frost: Parceiro │ B.Frost@rfblegal.co.uk │ 01392 715 310
Informações adicionais
- Autor da notícia: Ben Frost
Ben Frost
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