New laws to tackle rogue landlords

A six-year Standard campaign exposing abuse of the leasehold system by rogue landlords has been praised as measures to combat the problem become law today.

Housing Minister Lord Falconer said the effort had "ensured a better deal for millions".

The Commonhold and Leasehold Act will:

? Give leaseholders the right to manage blocks.

? Make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to buy the freehold or extend leases on flats.

?Give leaseholders protection against unreasonable service and improvement charges.

?Require landlords to make a demand for ground rents before any action over late payment.

? Require landlords to satisfy a court or tribunal that a lease has been breached before any action over an alleged breach.

? Prevent landlords from forfeiting leases as a result of trivial debts, and make it easier for leaseholders to vary their leases.

? Allow leaseholders to withhold service charges where certain information is not provided.

? Introduce commonhold, whereby common areas of flats are owned jointly by the residents.