Rachel Maclean MP (The Housing Minister) has appointed Martin Boyd as Chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE). Martin will champion the rights of leaseholders and park home owners in this role.
LEASE is a government-funded body providing free information and advice to leaseholders and park home owners. Whilst also empowering them to challenge poor practice if and when it occurs.
Martin is currently chair of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, which sees him campaign on behalf of leaseholders as well as providing advice on how they can best challenge their freeholders and managing agents.
LEASE is going through a period of transformation which Martin will oversee, with the aim of providing more support to more leaseholders. LEASE also has a new remit, one which sees them highlight any issues leaseholds may face.
More than one million customers accessed the LEASE website last year and LEASE advisers dealt with just over 28,000 enquiries.
Rachel Maclean MP, Housing Minister, 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 added:
“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.”
Since 2019, LEASE has been led by Wanda Goldwag in her role as interim chair.
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.”
Martin’s appointment has been welcomed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform.
Sir Peter Bottomley MP, Chair of the APPG for Leasehold and Commonhold Reform, 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.”
