If pension funds are to invest in UK residential property , they should sort out leasehold

Thanks to those who are contributing to this debate from the leaseholder’s point of view. This is for a Labour Government at the time of its 2026 Conference

This is a tragedy.

Labour was founded to take on rentier interests.

In 2026, it is using taxpayers’ money to bail out private companies, protecting developers’ superprofits and pauperising people.

Join us in the rebellion to end leasehold for good: https://t.co/i2qdMlyZs3 https://t.co/ROJ5Ep14xm

— Harry Scoffin (@HarryScoffin) September 27, 2026

When we are running pension funds it is for people, not to satisfy companies who offer residential property investment.

Who does Burnham’s ‘Your First Home’ scheme help most? Why, its developers whose hi-priced land banks are lying fallow but can now be built up. The scheme reduces the risk that land bank values will have to be written down in company balance sheets. https://t.co/tgBdH1WYnp

— Norma Cohen (@NormaCohen3) September 27, 2026

Whether through direct investment or through funds, there are residential properties within the portfolios are becoming leasehold traps for the people who rely on funded pensions in retirement.

We cannot have “affordable housing” where rents are rocketing and re-sale values plummeting. Pension funds must promote change to leasehold and the promotion of common hold.

Whether pension funds are DB, DC or CDC , money in residential properties needs to work for those living in the properties as well as pensions taking low risk profit.

Please pension funds remember the S in ESG. Make it clear that you are on the leaseholder’s side , even if you are buying freehold property to sell on as  leasehold flats or let at a profit rent for pension funds.  You need to focus on a fair deal for both pensioner and the residents of the properties you are buying.