# Plans to cap ground rents ‘could bring estimated £8.7bn windfall for landlords’

By Tom Hawkins — 2026-03-11

Tom Hawkins, head of residential development at Hamptons, said: “While a cap on ground rents may offer a modest saving for some households, it is unlikely to have any meaningful impact on the investors and owner occupiers we urgently need to encourage back into the market.

“Ground rent typically represents only a very small proportion of a homeowner’s annual costs compared with service charges, amenities and, crucially, mortgage payments.

“So, although the certainty is welcome, the financial benefit is minimal and unlikely to shift demand in any significant way.

“To stimulate the new build housing market, policy needs to focus on measures that genuinely support investment and help first time buyers.

“Such as a reduction in stamp duty on new build homes or a modernised successor to Help to Buy.

“These are the kinds of reforms that would meaningfully boost activity, unlock stalled development and attract the investment required to meet wider housing delivery ambitions.”

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