The Housing Minister and Secretary of State have appointed Martin Boyd as Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), where he will champion the rights of leaseholders and park home owners.
LEASE is a government-funded body which provides free information and advice to these homeowners, empowering them to challenge poor practice where it occurs.
Martin brings a wealth of experience to the role and is currently chair of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, where he campaigns on behalf of leaseholders and provides advice on how they can challenge their freeholders and managing agents.
Martin will oversee the transformation of LEASE to enable it to provide support to more leaseholders and lead its new remit of highlighting the issues they face.
LEASE already provides a valuable service to these homeowners, with more than one million customers accessing its website last year and LEASE advisers dealing with just over 28,000 enquiries.
Housing Minister, Rachel Maclean MP said:
"We are firmly on the side of leaseholders and Martin's appointment is another indication that we are standing up for them.
"I look forward to working closely with Martin as we bring forward further changes and legislation to support all leaseholders."
Martin Boyd said:
"After years of campaigning for leasehold and commonhold reform with the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership it is a privilege to be offered this role as Chair of LEASE at this critical point in the transformation of our housing system.
"The Secretary of State has asked that I expand the existing service offered by LEASE and add two new roles.
"We will create systems to give robust and regular insights to DLUHC and the Welsh government on the issues that leaseholders and park homeowners are facing, and we will ensure that LEASE works closely with leasehold and park homeowner stakeholder groups.
"I look forward to working with LEASE staff on this exciting mission."
LEASE has been led by Wanda Goldwag since 2019 in her role as interim chair. Wanda has provided strong leadership and dedicated service to the organisation during this period and Ministers have thanked her for her service.
Wanda Goldwag said:
"It has been a great pleasure to serve as interim chair of LEASE. LEASE provides a vital service to the many leaseholders and park homeowners and this would not be possible without the dedication and knowledge of its staff.
"Ministers have been clear on the need for LEASE to do even more given the numbers of leaseholders in need of help, including transforming its advice service and beginning to highlight the issues they face. I wholeheartedly support this mission and have been pleased to have an important role in beginning this journey."
This new appointment has also been welcomed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform.
Chair of the APPG for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform, Sir Peter Bottomley MP said:
"The All-Party Group for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform welcomes the choice of Martin Boyd to lead and to guide LEASE in its work.
"Together, government, parliament, leaseholder groups, the Law Commission and LEASE can make lives better while improving important sectors of the housing market.
"Martin Boyd is admired because he is fair, fearless and able to work with all parts of the leasehold eco structure."
The Government is committed to creating a fair and just housing system that works for everyone and is bringing forward reforms to end unfair practices in the leasehold market.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities already works closely with the sector to ensure leaseholders are protected from poor service. Further legislation to protect leaseholders will be brought forward in due course.
