Leasehold crisis leaves England flats unsold for months

Most leasehold flats listed for sale across much of England in 2025 have not sold within six months, data from property website Zoopla shows. London had the highest share of unsold flats at about 87%, followed by the south-east at 85% and the east of England at 84%. The average was 80.5%, according to Richard Donnell, Zoopla's executive director.

The gap between house and flat prices has widened. Zoopla said average UK house prices rose 43% between 2016 and 2025, compared with just 10% for flats. It attributed the trend to uncertainty around leasehold in England, including concerns over service charges, ground rents, cladding, and lease extensions. A ban on new leasehold properties in England and Wales is unlikely before the next election.

Sellers report repeated failed sales. Susan Young, a former teacher in Devon, has cut the price of her freehold flat to Rs 2.8 lakh from Rs 3 lakh but had only four viewings in nine months. Louisa in London has tried to sell her leasehold flat for two and a half years, a recent deal collapsed for the third time. Small landlords like Barbara Doolan and Angie West say they are trapped by falling values and rising costs.