Exclusive: Leasehold laws and money for nothing

Good afternoon readers — and welcome to our Monday briefing.

Being paid for doing nothing sounds like the kind of “too good to be true” scam offer you’d be wise to steer clear of. But one of our MPs is increasingly concerned that it’s exactly what one company is doing in Sheffield. Coppen Estates, which has bought the freehold on several properties in Woodhouse, has been exploiting a gap in the law to hit leaseholders with bigger fees. Coppen has form — having previously been taken to tribunal by leaseholders in Rotherham. That’s our big story below.

Catch up and coming up

Preparations for Sheffield’s future are stirring up its ancient past, as work on the Castlegate regeneration won’t begin until after a 10-week excavation of the city’s medieval castle. For our weekend read, Dan spoke to those involved in the project for his comprehensive history of Sheffield’s origins. You can read that piece here. 

Last week, we also sent out an additional newsletter to our more than 2,000 paying subscribers (we usually send two, but had a rare period where both Dan and Victoria were unable to work). In our Thursday story, our data wizard Daniel Timms peered into the mouths of Sheffield’s children (not literally) and wasn’t cheered by what he found. An extra from that piece is below.

We can see the differences in fluoride levels from the map below, created by researchers at the University of Manchester. The darker blue areas like Birmingham, Newcastle, and parts of Lincolnshire are areas where fluoride has been added. But the map also shows that areas in the South and East of England have much higher levels of fluoride naturally occurring — whereas in most of Yorkshire the levels are naturally very low. This is almost certainly part of the reason for the region having the worst levels of children’s tooth decay in England.

This week, we’ll be sending out our usual two extra newsletters for paid members, including an interview with one of Sheffield’s most notable women in STEM and a story on developments at a huge factory owned by the fast fashion brand boohoo. If you’re keen to read those, you know what to do! Subscribe by clicking the button below: it costs £8.95 a month or £1.71 a week if you pay for 12 months up front (£89).

Find focus, friends, and food at Union Street

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Would you like to reach over 23,000 Tribune readers? Visit our sponsor page or contact daniel@millmediaco.uk for more details.

The Weekly Whitworth ✍️

Our cartoonist James Whitworth with his take on two of our recent stories.

This week’s weather 🌦

Our weather forecast comes from dedicated Sheffield weather service Steel City Skies, who say this week will be cool, breezy and changeable with more settled weather arriving later in the week as high pressure attempts to build in.

Monday 🌦 A cold and windy day with heavy rain clearing to blustery and squally showers with a risk of hail and thunder. Westerly gusts with highs of just 9°C.

Tuesday 🌦 Brighter and a little milder with winds gradually easing. Spells of sunshine and the risk of an afternoon shower. Highs of 12°C.

Wednesday 🌥 Breezy and cool from the northwest with bright spells and variable cloud. The odd shower, with highs around 11°C.

Thursday 🌥 High pressure is still only knocking on the westerly door, so a chilly breeze remains with variable cloud and mainly dry weather. Highs of 12°C.

Friday 🌥 A similar story with some bright spells and areas of cloud, too. Low risk of a shower with a cool NW breeze persisting. Highs of 14°C.

Outlook: High pressure is expected to build more definitively over the UK, with winds falling light and temperatures recovering to the mid-teens. Likely to be dry and bright.

To see the full forecast and keep up to date with any changes to the outlook, follow Steel City Skies on Facebook.

The big story: Money for nothing 💰

Top line: A Sheffield-based landowner which owns a significant number of freeholds in the city has been accused by a local MP of exploiting leaseholders. If true, how would they get away with it?

Freehold vs leasehold: If you buy a property freehold, you own both said property and the land it's built on for as long as you want. If you only own the leasehold, you own the property for a set period (usually several hundred years), but not the land it's built on. Leases vary, but the person or company that owns the freehold can charge you an annual ground rent fee.

Who are Coppen Estates? Coppen Estates owns a significant number of freeholds, including on the Flockton Estate in Woodhouse, which is in Clive Betts MP’s Sheffield South East constituency. Up until 2022, leaseholders were expected to pay an annual charge of just £9 — but things have changed.

• Coppen bought the freeholds on the estate from bodies like the National Coal Board, without leaseholders’ knowledge, and have added a number of curious additional charges on top of the usual ground rent payment. 
• Some of these charges are described as fees for administrative tasks, such as “checking insurance documents,” a job the company requests £45 for each time.
• In 2023, Coppen’s two directors received remuneration of £370,000.

No response: Coppen, whose address is on Hickmott Road in Sharrow Vale, has been involved in litigation from leaseholders elsewhere, most notably in Thurcroft near Rotherham. There, leaseholders accused the company of acting “like the Mafia” after their fees rose from £10 to £2,450 in just one year. North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley has also been acting for some of his constituents who have been hit with charges. Since the leaseholders’ case was taken up by Betts’ office, Coppen have completely refused to engage, not answering emails or recorded delivery letters. When The Tribune visited Coppen’s office on Monday, they claimed they have never received any correspondence from the MP.

New legislation: Mr Betts says the leasehold and freehold system is “a mess” which often “resembles the Wild West” due to how ineffective the rules are. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill which is currently on its way through Parliament should help in some circumstances. But the Financial Times recently reported that Secretary of State Michael Gove has abandoned his attempt to cap ground rents at “peppercorn” levels, following pressure from property owners and pension funds.

Clive Betts told The Tribune:

“The current legal framework applied to the leasehold system is unfit for purpose and this allows companies such as Coppen Estates to ride roughshod over leaseholders and exploit the many loopholes, whilst avoiding their responsibilities to the many leaseholders who pay their ground rent each year, without fail. It’s a prime example of why it needs root and branch reform.”

Bottom line: It’s not uncommon to find questionable practices in the world of property. The difference with Coppen and their ilk is that current leasehold law, which is full of loopholes, seems to be on their side. The most disadvantaged leaseholders, who lack the resources or knowledge to push back on fees, are the ones most in danger of losing out. The Government must overhaul the system, which is allowing some companies to make money for nothing.

Have you had any trouble with Coppen Estates? If so, get in touch at editor@sheffieldtribune.co.uk.

The big picture: In dreams 🖼️

This week’s big picture comes from the Dreams and Realities exhibition at St Mary’s Church in Bramall Lane, featuring nine portraits (including a self portrait) from artist Stephen Martin of Sheffield residents who live in deep hardship. “Each painting includes something reflecting the person's current reality, and something depicting the dreams they would pursue if not held back by poverty.” Find out more about the exhibition here.

Our media picks 🔗

Ronnie O’Sullivan calls for World Snooker Championship move from Crucible 🎱 Snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan has ruffled feathers by arguing Sheffield should lose the privilege of hosting the World Snooker Championship. The event has been hosted at The Crucible since 1977, but the current contract runs out in 2027. Ronnie says he feels a venue in China or Saudi Arabia could put on a far better show. “It’d be done properly,” he told The Sun, with better food, hotels and “astronomical” prize money. “I know at the Crucible you get nice tea there, you might get lasagne if the guys are cooking. But that’s about it.”

University and College Union strike ballot over Sheffield Hallam cuts 🗳️ Staff at Sheffield Hallam are about to vote on potential strike action following “scandalous” cuts, including the loss of 225 academic jobs. As we reported last December, things have not been looking good at the university for some time — while the university leadership insist this is down to “pressures largely out of [their] control,” many furious staff blame “reckless financial decisions” such as committing to brand new city-centre buildings and a London campus. UCU general secretary Jo Brady insists the job cuts Hallam is trying to force through “would see teaching, research and academic standards torn to shreds”. 

Take That review — a fabulous and unexpectedly funny first night 🕺 The Times has published a glowing review of Take That’s show at the Utilita Arena last night, concluding “there’s plenty of life left” in the band even after nine albums. “This fabulous, unexpectedly funny opening night proved that even Barlow — lithe and blond at 53 — has learnt to poke fun at himself,” it reads, referencing a “ticker tape storm,” waterfalls and a wind machine “worthy of Spinal Tap”. Let us know in the comments if you caught the show!

Home of the week 🏡

This four-bedroom, semi-detached home is reportedly on “one of Woodseats’ most desirable streets” and “within the catchment area for schools of high repute”. It also boasts many of its original Edwardian features, such as period fireplaces. The advert on Rightmove promises it will “suit buyers looking for both convenient suburban living alongside tranquil outdoor garden space” and lists a guide price of £475,000.

Tribune Tips: If you want to tell us about a story or give us some information, please email editor@sheffieldtribune.co.uk. We are always happy to speak to people off the record in the first instance, and we will treat your information with confidence and sensitivity.

Things to do 📆

Debate 🗣️ Starting tomorrow and running for the next five weeks is the Festival of Debate, the UK’s biggest politics festival. Now in its tenth year, headliners this year include George Monbiot, Jackie Kay, Sir Michael Marmot, Hollie McNish, Grace Blakeley, James O'Brien, Corinne Fowler, Sathnam Sangera, Simon Duffy, Marianna Spring, Immy Kaur, Desiree Reynolds, Greg Fell, Natalie Bennett, Indy Johar and Sophia Parker. Other highlights include an online discussion on how young people can shape systemic change on Sunday 21 April, and a one-day symposium which will celebrate and showcase the resilience of marginalised communities, including migrants and people with disabilities, at The Circle on Rockingham Lane on Thursday 9 May.

Music 🎷 On Wednesday night, Liverpool indie band The Zutons will play the main stage at The Leadmill, returning to the venue a full two decades after their last appearance. Fans of Razorlight, The Coral and Hard-Fi are likely to enjoy their work! Tickets are on sale for £30 — find out more and grab yours here. 

Learn ⛰️ Also on Wednesday night, lovers of the Peak District will not want to miss a lecture by Sally Mosley at Portland Works, who has led hundreds of visitors on guided walks through the region since 2006. The lecture — titled “A Year in the Peak District” — starts at 7pm and only costs around £4-6 to attend, with the money going to support the Friends of Portland Works charity. Find out more and book your space here.