What the King’s Speech Could Mean for the Housing Market
The King’s Speech has set out a fresh wave of proposed housing reforms, with changes expected to affect leasehold property, building safety, social housing, local authority powers and the wider property market.
While many of the proposals are still subject to further detail and legislation, they point to another important period of change for homeowners, landlords, leaseholders, tenants and property professionals.
One of the biggest areas of focus is leasehold reform. The Government has already published draft legislation which would apply to England and Wales, with the aim of making commonhold the default form of ownership for new flats. This could mean fewer new leasehold flats being created in future, alongside stronger protections for existing leaseholders. Proposed changes also include capping ground rents on older leases, abolishing forfeiture and introducing a new enforcement scheme.
There are also plans to speed up action on unsafe cladding and building remediation. A new Remediation Bill is expected to place clearer legal duties on landlords and strengthen enforcement powers, with the aim of ensuring affected buildings are made safe more quickly. For buyers, sellers and leaseholders, this remains a key issue because unresolved building safety concerns can affect mortgageability, confidence and transaction times.
The Government is also looking again at Right to Buy. Proposed reforms would increase the minimum eligibility period from three years to ten years and reduce the level of discounts available. New-build social homes could also be exempt from sale under the scheme for 35 years after construction. These changes are intended to help protect social housing stock, although the wider impact on local housing supply will depend on how the reforms are delivered.
Another proposal is the introduction of an overnight visitor levy, sometimes referred to as a “tourist tax”, for parts of England. If progressed, this would give certain local authorities the power to charge visitors staying overnight, similar to schemes already in place or planned in Scotland and Wales. This could be particularly relevant in areas with strong tourism markets, where housing supply, short-term lets and local infrastructure are already closely linked.
For local homeowners, landlords and investors, the key message is that housing policy continues to move quickly. Leasehold, safety standards, property taxation and rental market pressures are all likely to remain high on the agenda throughout 2026.
At Mannleys Sales & Lettings, we’ll continue to monitor these changes and help our clients understand what they may mean in practice. Whether you’re thinking of selling, buying, letting or reviewing your property plans, our team is here to offer clear, practical advice based on the latest market developments.
