Private equity titan takes on Housing Secretary

Private equity investor Guy Hands, through his company Annington Homes, has filed a legal claim against Housing Secretary Angela Rayner in the European Court of Human Rights. The dispute revolves around the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which aims to enhance tenant rights regarding ground rents and lease extensions. Hands argues that the Act’s vagueness could jeopardise Annington’s ownership of 55,000 homes leased to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). He fears that leaseholders might acquire freeholds at below-market rates, threatening Annington’s business model.