Gavin Barwell, the then Housing Minister, announced at the Lease Annual Conference in February that the organisation would stop commercial activity to concentrate on helping leaseholders.
He explained to delegates: “What we really want is for LEASE to help leaseholders. To be solely, and unapologetically, on their side.”
However, the move has been criticised by some. Martin Boyd, of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, said in an article on the organisation’s website that the move was disappointing.
He added: “It is entirely disappointing that the Minister has somehow been convinced that his first move should be to support LEASE. This is the very organisation that has done so little to highlight the problems in the sector over so many years. The same LEASE that has for so long been a keen supporter of landlords and managing agents interests are
now suddenly keen on focusing on supporting leaseholders.”
Mr Barwell also confirmed the appointment of Tariq Kazi and Victoria Elvidge to the Board of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) on 20 April 2017.
Victoria Elvidge trained as a city solicitor and worked in the commercial property department at Ashurst until 1996. She was a Chair on the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal for ten years, dealing principally with management and enfranchisement cases. Tariq Kazi is a professionally qualified chartered accountant and corporate treasurer with debt financing experience spanning the private and public sectors, including residential real estate.
Tariq Kazi will take up his post from 24 April 2017 and Victoria Elvidge will take up her post from 1 August 2 017.
