Qualifying criteria
The Act removes the requirement for the leaseholder of a flat to have owned their property for at least two years before they can extend their lease, and the leaseholder of a house to have owned their property for at least two years before they can extend their lease or buy their freehold. The Act allows leaseholders of flats to extend their lease, and leaseholders of houses to extend their lease or buy their freehold, immediately upon taking ownership of a lease.
	The Act increases the ‘non-residential limit’ to 50% for collective enfranchisement and the right to manage. The ‘non-residential limit’ restricts leaseholders’ access to collective enfranchisement and the right to manage based on the proportion of the building's floor space that is used for non-residential purposes. The Act gives leaseholders the right to collectively enfranchise or claim a right to manage in buildings where up to 50% of the floorspace (excluding common parts) is used, or intended to be used, for non-residential purposes which represents an increase from the current 25% limit.