Flat conversions aside, what he's describing is a common practice amongst builders of new-build homes, which I assume is the experience he's most familiar with.

Flat conversions aside, what he's describing is a common practice amongst builders of new-build homes, which I assume is the experience he's most familiar with. Developers will allow the freehold to be purchased, although restrictive covenants can be attached - in effect, binding the homeowner to similar restrictions as if they were still leaseholders. The Government recently announced that it would be banning the practice of charging ground rent for properties on leaseholds longer than 21 years. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-unfair-leasehold-practices--2 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-unfair-lease...