News On The Block

A new fund is being launched to help leaseholders, (particularly those who may be vulnerable and/or elderly), afford legal assistance to advise them on matters such as the LVT process, escalating service charges and exit fees.  Called LKPaid, the fund is the brainchild of Melissa Briggs who rose to prominence for her campaigning work leading CarlEX and its demands for leasehold reform.  

"Having exposed malpractice in the property management industry over the past few years, I set up the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership Limited (LKP) as a commercial organisation, promoting best practice, but with an altruistic side," explained Melissa.  

CarlEX, whose website recently moved from www.carlex.org.uk to www.carlex.co, continues to actively campaign for leasehold reform and is currently engaging with the Department of Communities and Local Government and organisations like LEASE to prioritise this on their agenda. They are also promoting Commonhold as an alternative form of tenure to developers, and have already scored some media success by being featured in The Mail on Sunday.

LKPaid is initially seeking to raise at least £50,000 by way of charitable donations, sought from major flat builders, and other related companies, which can then be used to help needy leaseholders on a case by case basis. Following meetings with several of the ALEP solicitors, she has already secured £1,000 worth of free monthly legal advice from two enfranchisement practitioners. More information is available from www.leaseholdknowledge.com.