Find the best estate agent near you Start here
Post updated: November 12th, 2026
Over three million leaseholders in England are set to benefit from stronger rights to challenge unfair service charges, starting from 1 April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Here’s what’s changing:
These changes bring in key protections from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, giving leaseholders more information and greater power over the costs they are asked to pay.
The government says five sets of regulations are being laid in Parliament on 12 November 2026 to put the protections into effect. Further regulations setting out more detail on the legal cost reforms are due before the end of the year.
From 1 November 2027, leaseholders will automatically get clearer information about the charges they are being asked to pay. This includes detailed information about the building insurance they help pay for, along with stronger protections against excessive or unreasonable fees for arranging and managing that insurance.
Landlords will also have to publish a list of administration charges, showing the amounts or explaining how they are calculated.
These rules will apply whether their building is owned by a private landlord, council or housing association. From the same date, private landlords will also have to use simpler, standardised service charge demand forms and provide financial accounts and annual reports.
The annual reports will include information about the building’s condition and planned major works, helping leaseholders see what’s coming and budget for it. The new accounts requirements will apply where costs are shared through variable service charges payable for at least four homes.
From 1 November 2028, councils and housing associations will also have to provide their leaseholders with the new standardised service charge demand forms, financial accounts and annual reports.
The government says the changes are being phased in to give landlords time to update their billing and accounting systems. Councils and housing associations will have an additional year to introduce the new reporting requirements because their systems are more complex.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “It is simply wrong that millions of leaseholders can be hit with unfair charges, then face another bill just for challenging them. That isn’t right, and where we can act quickly to change it, we will.
“Today’s changes are only the beginning. We’re giving leaseholders stronger rights now, while we press ahead with the bigger reforms needed to put power back in homeowners’ hands and end the feudal leasehold system for good.”
Chief Executive of the Leasehold Advisory Service, Kion Ahadi said: Service charges are the most common issue leaseholders contact us about. We welcome these changes as an important step forward in helping people understand what they are paying for and challenge costs they believe are unfair.
Leaseholders need clear information about how their money is being spent and a fair opportunity to raise concerns. Better access to that information and stronger protection from landlords’ legal bills will give them more confidence to hold their landlord to account.
You don’t have to wait for the reforms to question your service charges. You already have rights to request information and challenge unreasonable costs, depending on your lease and the type of charge.
If a bill looks wrong or a charge has increased without explanation, check your lease and raise your concerns with your landlord or managing agent in writing. Keep copies of your bills and correspondence, and speak to other leaseholders to see if they have the same concerns. Our guide to service charge problems and how to challenge them explains your options.
However, be aware that the reforms won’t automatically mean lower bills. Buildings still need maintaining and insuring, but clearer information should make it easier to see where your money is going and challenge unreasonable charges.
These changes are part of a wider overhaul of the leasehold system. Many measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, including abolishing marriage value and introducing standard 990-year lease extensions, have yet to take effect.
Further reforms are planned through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which is due to be introduced in Parliament before Christmas 2026. Proposals include capping existing ground rents at £250 a year, making commonhold the default for most new flats and making it easier for existing leaseholders to convert to commonhold.
For what’s already changed, what’s still to come and whether to extend your lease now or wait, read our guide to leasehold reform.
Get expert advice on extending your lease, buying your freehold or applying for the right to manage.
October 28, 2026
October 14, 2026
October 5, 2026
October 1, 2026 
