A new act coming into force next month, means more rights for flat-owners giving them the means to take over the management of their block from their landlord.

Housing Minister Keith Hill said the reforms will create a fairer balance between the rights of leaseholders and landlords and prevent unreasonable behaviour by unscrupulous landlords. The changes will:

• Introduce a new right to manage, where leaseholders can take over the management of their building without having to prove fault on the part of the landlord or pay compensation.
• Strengthen leaseholders' rights against unreasonable charges levied under their lease.
• Improve the way leasehold valuation tribunals work to address disputes between landlords and leaseholders.

Keith Hill said: "The great majority of landlords and leaseholders work constructively together in accordance with the lease.”

“But the reforms will help prevent unreasonable and oppressive behaviour by unscrupulous landlords, and provide flexibility to tackle any future forms of abuse.”

"Leaseholders will have their basic rights strengthened, including being consulted over matters affecting them and for which they will meet the cost; receiving value for money from their service charges; seeing where their money is being held and what it has been spent on; and having access to fair and effective dispute resolution procedures."

The reforms, under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, will come into force from 30 September.