Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister

Burnham has long argued that "everything starts with a good home" and has made housing a central part of his political agenda throughout his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester. In his first speech outside Downing Street, he pledged to tackle the housing crisis, end rough sleeping, expand social housing and provide relief for households facing cost-of-living pressures.

Continuity for leasehold reform

One of Burnham's first cabinet decisions was to appoint Angela Rayner as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, while retaining Matthew Pennycook as Minister of State for Housing. Both have been closely involved with Labour's leasehold reform agenda over the past two years.

For many in the leasehold sector, those appointments suggest the government's programme is likely to continue largely as planned.

Mark Chick, Director of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) and Senior Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP, welcomed the appointments.

"ALEP welcomes Angela Rayner's appointment as Secretary of State. Having held the role until relatively recently, she returns with a known and visible commitment to leasehold reform, having given evidence before the select committee on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and having been in post at the Bill's inception."

He added that Rayner's return should provide valuable continuity.

"The return of Angela Rayner should mean a degree of consistency and less reading-in time on leasehold issues.

"While we await the broader policy objectives of the new cabinet, this does seem to mean 'business as usual' as regards leasehold reform."

Chick also welcomed the decision to retain Matthew Pennycook.

"At a time when leasehold reform has reached a critical stage, continuity is key.

"Mr Pennycook has demonstrated a detailed understanding of the complexities of leasehold law and the need to balance the legitimate interests of all those affected. Just as importantly, he is committed to getting reform right rather than pursuing speed at the expense of workable legislation."

ALEP said it looked forward to continuing to work with government as consultations continue on key aspects of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, with the aim of ensuring legislation is both balanced and workable in practice.

Housing remains central to Burnham's agenda

Housing is expected to be one of the defining policy areas of Burnham's premiership.

During his leadership campaign and previous public statements, Burnham has consistently advocated increasing housing supply, tackling empty homes, expanding affordable housing and strengthening the role of local authorities in delivering new development.

His experience as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he oversaw major regeneration projects and promoted affordable housing initiatives, is expected to shape national policy.

Industry commentators believe that while the overall objective of delivering 1.5 million new homes remains unchanged, Burnham may place greater emphasis on regional growth, partnerships with local authorities and accelerating development outside London.

What could this mean for the wider housing market?

Although it is too early to predict the precise policy direction, early indications suggest Burnham's government will seek to boost housing delivery while maintaining Labour's existing reform agenda.

Property professionals will be watching closely for announcements on:

• leasehold and commonhold reform

• planning reform and housebuilding

• affordable housing investment

• regulation of property agents

• support for first-time buyers

• the private rented sector

The sector is also awaiting further details of Burnham's proposed long-term housing strategy, which is expected later this year.

Propertymark welcomes continuity

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, welcomed the decision to retain Matthew Pennycook.

"Propertymark looks forward to further constructive engagement with Matthew Pennycook as Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as part of Andy Burnham's newly formed cabinet.

"With significant housing legislation already underway and a commitment to deliver 1.5 million new homes across England, housing reform remains a key priority. Improving the home buying and selling process and introducing a robust regulatory framework for property agents must be at the forefront from day one.

"We look forward to continued engagement with the UK Government to help ensure its housing ambitions are practical, achievable and successful."

Build to Rent sector calls for greater investment

The Association for Rental Living (ARL) also welcomed Burnham's appointment, highlighting his long-standing belief that housing underpins economic growth and social wellbeing.

Brendan Geraghty, Chief Executive of ARL, said:

"The Association for Rental Living welcomes Andy Burnham as the Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the UK.

"As the representative body for the institutionally backed, professionally managed rental living sector including Build to Rent, the ARL welcomes the Prime Minister's belief that 'everything starts with a good home', an approach that recognises the critical importance of housing to the economic and social fabric of the nation.

"The Build to Rent sector has demonstrated over the last decade that institutional rental housing can deliver additional good homes, at scale and at pace.

"We support policies, together with the pledged stability of politics, that enable the delivery of new homes of all tenures and call upon the Prime Minister to pull the Build to Rent lever to realise the potential of institutional rental housing in addressing the housing crisis this nation faces, once and for all."

A period of stability?

While every new Prime Minister brings the possibility of policy changes, the immediate reaction across much of the property sector has been one of cautious optimism.

Rather than signalling a wholesale reset, Burnham's early appointments point towards continuity on housing policy and leasehold reform, with experienced ministers remaining in place to steer legislation already underway.

For leaseholders, freeholders, managing agents, developers and property professionals, attention will now turn to how quickly the government progresses the next phase of leasehold reform and whether Burnham's wider housing ambitions can translate into increased supply and meaningful improvements across England's housing market.