Angela Rayner announces crackdown on 'cowboy' leasehold property agents

Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, announced at the Labour conference plans to establish an independent regulator for property agents to curb 'cowboy' practices and hidden fees. The government will legislate to license agents, set conduct standards, and revoke licenses if standards are not met. Caps on permission and administrative fees paid by leaseholders will also be introduced. These measures aim to protect around five million leaseholders in England and Wales from unfair charges and exploitative management companies. Additionally, legislation will ban new leasehold flats and promote a collective ownership system called 'commonhold'.