An estimated 1.911 million leasehold homes sit within the private rented sector, according to analysis of Government data by property management specialist Rushbrook, which has welcomed the Government's plans for an independent regulator of property agents.
Rushbrook found 4.902 million leasehold dwellings across all tenures, of which 4.633 million are in the private sector. The 1.911 million privately rented leasehold homes equate to 39% of all leasehold dwellings, with flats accounting for 82.4%, according to Rushbrook.
The Government has announced plans to legislate for an independent regulator covering property agents, including estate agents, managing agents and estate managers, alongside a consultation on capping administrative fees. According to Rushbrook, the changes will cover an estimated five million leaseholders across England and Wales.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said property agents will be required to hold a licence and appropriate qualifications, and that the regulator will be able to set codes of practice covering standards of conduct and complaint handling.
Separate Government data analysed by Rushbrook shows the average annual service charge paid by owner-occupier leaseholders reached £2,169 in 2024-25, the latest available data. This was a 26.2% annual increase and a 33.4% rise over five years.
Rushbrook's analysis also shows average annual ground rent paid by owner-occupier leaseholders rose from £235 in 2023-24 to £315 in 2024-25, an increase of 34.3%.
Published administration schedules analysed by Rushbrook show examples including £50 to £60 for permission to keep a pet, £60 to £150 for consent for alterations and £100 to £250 for a management or LPE1 sales pack.
Other published examples include £80 to £150 for remortgage administration or information, £80 to £100 for notice of transfer when selling and £120 to £150 for a certificate of compliance.
"Property managers are entrusted with people's homes and increasingly substantial sums of their money, so it's only right that professional standards keep pace with that responsibility," said Roma Sharma, managing director of Rushbrook.
"Rising charges don't automatically mean leaseholders are being treated unfairly, as costs have risen considerably across the board in recent years, with inflation placing additional pressure on the cost of managing and maintaining properties.
"However, what matters is that these charges are fair, transparent and justifiable, with those responsible for managing properties accountable for the service they provide.
"For reputable operators, greater scrutiny shouldn't be a concern. With almost two million privately rented homes also sitting within the leasehold sector, raising standards benefits landlords too and reinforces the importance of ensuring their properties are being managed professionally and within the rules."
