Mark Vinall

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced at the Conservative Party Conference 2025 yesterday that the next Tory Government to be elected will completely abolish stamp duty land tax (SDLT) paid by buyers on primary residences in England.  

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which had its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, contains an unexpected ban on upward-only rent review clauses in new commercial leases.

Following its Third Reading in the House of Lords on 21 July 2025, only minor drafting amendments were made to the Renters (Reform) Bill (‘the Bill’), signalling the Lords’ broad approval of its substance.

As part of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, the government has proposed introducing new regulations to define what landlords and managing agents can charge leaseholders in connection with arranging building insurance.

The Government has published an open consultation titled “Strengthening Leaseholder Protections over Charges and Services,” which runs until 26 September 2025.

The Government has now brought into force a number of provisions under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, implementing parts of the Law Commission’s recommendations relating to the Right to Manage (RTM).