The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 is the law set to give freehold estate residents real protection over their estate charges. It received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024, but the part that matters most for estate charges — Part 5 — is not yet in force as of June 2026. It needs secondary legislation first.
So the headline is simple: better rights are coming, but they are not live yet. This guide explains what the Act will change, where it stands today, and what you can do in the meantime.
Comuna is independent and homeowner-side. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024?
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 is a major reform of residential property law in England and Wales. It covers leasehold extensions, ground rent and more — and, crucially for managed-estate residents, it includes a dedicated set of provisions for freehold homeowners who pay estate charges.
Those estate-management provisions sit in Part 5 of the Act. They exist because freehold estate residents have long had weaker protection than leaseholders, even though an estimated 1.6 to 1.75 million homes in England are now on privately managed estates.
What will Part 5 change for estate charges?
Part 5 is designed to give estate residents protections similar to a leaseholder's. The key changes are a right to information, a right to challenge unreasonable charges at a tribunal, limits on administration charges, and stronger protection from the Section 121 remedy. All four are pending.
In more detail, the new rights are expected to cover:
- a right to information — clear, itemised charges and proper accounts, so you can see exactly what you are paying for
- a right to challenge unreasonable charges at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
- limits and transparency on administration charges, such as fees for consents or chasing arrears
- stronger protection around the Section 121 remedy that, in extreme cases, allows action over unpaid rentcharges
We unpack the challenge route in can you challenge estate management charges and the repossession risk in Section 121 explained.
Is it in force yet?
No. The Act has Royal Assent, but the Part 5 estate-management rights are not yet in force as of June 2026. They require secondary legislation to commence, and that has not happened.
The government ran a consultation, "Enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates," which closed on 12 March 2026. Secondary legislation is expected to follow during 2026, but no firm commencement date for the main estate-management rights had been confirmed at the time of writing.
| Provision | Status (June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Act received Royal Assent | In force (24 May 2024) |
| Right to information (Part 5) | Pending secondary legislation |
| Right to challenge at First-tier Tribunal | Pending secondary legislation |
| Administration charge limits | Pending secondary legislation |
| Section 121 reform | Pending / consultation closed 12 Mar 2026 |
It is easy to read about the tribunal route or the right to information and assume you can use them today. You can't yet. Until the secondary legislation commences, the older, more limited routes still apply. Always check the date on anything you read about these rights.
What should you do now?
You don't have to wait for commencement to get on the front foot. The evidence you build today will make any future challenge — at a tribunal or otherwise — far stronger.
- Ask your managing agent for a full, itemised breakdown of your charge and the accounts behind it.
- Keep records of what is actually maintained on your estate, and how well it's done.
- Compare your charge against similar estates to see whether it looks reasonable.
- Raise any problems formally, in writing, and keep copies.
- If you get nowhere, complain and escalate to the Property Ombudsman where your agent is a member.
You can check whether your charge looks fair in about 30 seconds on our homepage, then read the practical steps in how to challenge an unreasonable estate charge.
Common questions
Is the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in force? It received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024, but the Part 5 estate-management rights need secondary legislation and are not yet in force as of June 2026.
When will the new estate-charge rights start? The consultation closed on 12 March 2026 and legislation is expected during 2026, but no firm commencement date for the main rights was confirmed at the time of writing.
What new rights will I get? A right to clear information, a right to challenge unreasonable charges at the First-tier Tribunal, limits on administration charges, and stronger protection from Section 121 — all pending.
Can I challenge my charge now? Only through the limited existing routes — an information request, a complaint and escalation to the Property Ombudsman, and in some cases the county court. The tribunal route is not yet available to freeholders.
Part of our rights tracker for freehold estate residents.
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