Anti-leasehold bill contains loopholes for developers, say campaigners

Clauses in Michael Gove’s bill include exemptions for properties in a retirement village or on land where a lease has already been granted

Michael Gove’s signature bill to stop developers selling new houses as leasehold properties contains loopholes that will allow them to continue doing so in certain circumstances, a revelation that has triggered anger among housing campaigners.

The housing secretary will bring his leasehold reform bill back to the Commons for a final time on Tuesday, this time with clauses to ban leases on new homes after they were mistakenly left out at the previous stage.