National Trust backs down in rent rises row

THE National Trust has backed down on proposals to increase the ground rent on tenants in leasehold properties, some of whom saw their annual bills rise by as much as 10,000 per cent.

One 87-year-old man was told his payments would rise from £148 to £15,000 a year, prompting the Tenants Association of the National Trust to demand an inquiry.

More than 10,000 people live in 5,000 homes on National Trust land and although most are rented out at a monthly rate, some were brought upfront as leaseholds with the owners paying an annual nominal ground rent.

When residents tried to extend their leases free of charge, they were asked to accept increased modern ground rent (MGR) charges. It was a move that affected around 300 people.

In a victory for ministers who pledged to ban “feudal” leases, the National Trust agreed to remove MGR for most of its long leaseholders after consulting the Charity Commission.

A spokesman said: “The charity hopes that this significant change will help to resolve the situation for those long leaseholders who were not aware of the financial impact of MGR when they acquired their properties.”

Sebastian O’kelly, from the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, said: “We are delighted that the Charity Commission has conceded that the National Trust does not necessarily have to ramp up ground rents – especially for leaseholders who took on near ruinous rural properties when few others wanted them. This is a victory for good sense.”