Nick Hopkins, Professor of Land Law at UCL Laws, has been appointed a Specialist Advisor to the HCLG Committee while it conducts pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. The draft Bill is a major development in flat ownership, representing a step in Government’s plans to replace leasehold with commonhold as the default tenure for those who buy and own flats. It also continues the programme of leasehold reform to improve the position of existing leaseholders.
Professor Hopkins said: “The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill brings a significant reset in what it means to own a flat in England and Wales. I am delighted to be advising the Committee in its vital work in scrutinising the Bill ahead of its introduction into Parliament.”
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee scrutinises the spending, policies and administration of the government department for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Committee is accepting evidence until Wednesday 25 February 2026 and has launched a survey for homeowners.
Professor Hopkins joined UCL Laws in July 2025. From 2015-2025 he was Law Commissioner for England and Wales for Property, Family and Trust law. He was recently quoted heavily in an article in The Times, ‘Property bill is biggest change in 1,000 years – so how does it work?’ (available to read behind a paywall).