Long Leases (Scotland) Bill

# Long Leases (Scotland) Bill The Long Leases (Scotland) Bill addresses the historical problem of long residential leasehold tenure in Scotland, where property owners hold leases lasting hundreds of years and must pay annual ground rent (feuduty) to superior landlords. This system, rooted in Scotland's feudal land laws, creates significant financial burdens and legal complications for leaseholders, particularly as leases approach expiry or when properties are sold. The bill seeks to reform this outdated arrangement by enabling leaseholders to acquire the land beneath their homes and free themselves from ongoing ground rent obligations, bringing greater security of tenure and reducing costs for homeowners. The bill's key provisions grant long leaseholders the right to purchase the freehold of their property at a fair market value, determined through a specified valuation method. It establishes a straightforward process for leaseholders to exercise this right, removing barriers that previously made acquisition difficult or unaffordable. The legislation also addresses the issue of properties with no identifiable superior landlord, making provisions for leaseholders in these situations. Additionally, the bill restricts the imposition of new or excessive ground rents on long leases going forward. These reforms effectively convert long leasehold tenure into a more straightforward ownership model, eliminating the perpetual feudal relationships that have characterised Scottish property law and providing leaseholders with genuine control over their properties.

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