King’s Speech 2026: Major housing reform plan revealed

Housing reform has been pushed firmly back into the spotlight after the King’s Speech on 13 May unveiled a series of proposed bills set to shape the future of the UK property market.

The Government’s plans include major changes to leasehold ownership, new protections for social housing tenants and further action on building safety, all of which are areas that continue to affect homeowners, buyers, landlords and developers across England and Wales.

At Redbrik, we welcome reforms that aim to improve transparency, fairness and confidence across the housing market, particularly in areas where homeowners and residents have long called for clearer protections and stronger accountability.

Proposed leasehold changes

One of the biggest announcements was the proposed Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which would ban the sale of new leasehold flats in England and Wales while introducing a £250 cap on ground rents.

The Government notes that the reforms are designed to simplify property ownership and reduce long-term costs for leaseholders, following years of criticism surrounding rising charges and complicated ownership structures.

For many buyers, particularly first-time purchasers entering the apartment market, greater simplicity and transparency would be a positive step forward. However, there are still important questions around how the reforms would work in practice and how existing leaseholders may be affected.

At Redbrik, we believe any transition away from traditional leasehold structures must be carefully managed to avoid unintended disruption for buyers, sellers and homeowners currently looking to remortgage or move.

Focus on affordable housing

The King’s Speech also outlined plans for a new Social Housing Renewal Bill aimed at strengthening protections for tenants and safeguarding affordable housing stock.

Under the proposals, newly built social homes would be exempt from the Right to Buy scheme for 35 years, helping to protect affordable housing supply in areas where demand continues to rise.

Additional support for victims of domestic abuse living in social housing has also been proposed, giving greater security to vulnerable tenants during difficult circumstances.

Measures that help create long-term housing stability are vital for communities and the wider housing market, particularly at a time when affordability and housing availability remain ongoing challenges across many parts of the country.

Building safety remains a priority

Building safety also remains high on the government’s agenda, with a proposed Remediation Bill expected to give ministers greater powers to require construction product manufacturers to contribute towards the cost of removing unsafe cladding from residential buildings.

The legislation forms part of the Government’s continued response to the building safety crisis, with pressure remaining on developers, freeholders and manufacturers to accelerate remediation works and improve accountability.

From a buyer perspective, building safety remains one of the most important issues affecting confidence within the apartment market. Progress around remediation, alongside clearer guidance and accountability, will be essential in helping homeowners feel more secure and reducing delays for those trying to buy or sell affected properties.

Looking ahead

While the proposed reforms signal a significant shift for the housing sector, the key priority now will be clarity around implementation, timelines and how the legislation will apply in practice.

At Redbrik, we support reforms that create a property market that is easier to understand, properly regulated and more secure for homeowners and residents.

Our Managing Director, Mark Ross, commented:

We will be watching closely for details and timelines, and we will continue to champion changes that improve confidence and mobility across the housing market.

Whether you’re buying, selling or simply keeping track of legislation changes, our local experts are here to help you navigate the property market with confidence. For more information, contact your local branch today.

Redbrik. Your place for property.