HOME owners are being reminded about the risks of leasehold new-builds.

Gina Lewis, Winsford Town Councillor is warning potential home-buyers that they could be held to ransom if they do not own the freehold.

Her worry is due to housing developers selling leasehold new-builds, which place restrictions on buyers who want to make amendments to their homes in the future.

Cllr Lewis said: “People are not being made aware of the significant dangers of not buying the freehold when you buy a home.

“Anyone who wants to make an addition to their property is going to face a serious cost.

“I do feel people are not being open and honest but rather more deceiving.”

Former CWAC councillor Justin Madders, who is now MP for Ellesmere Port, spoke about the ‘leasehold scandal’ in a parliamentary debate on July 20.

He said: “The developers are public enemy number one. But the lenders, solicitors and the government all have to take some share of the blame.

“This is a scandal which has the potential to fundamentally destabilise the housing market if it is not tackled sooner.

“What people who bought their house never contemplated was that actually the true owner would be someone they may not ever know the identity of who can sell on their interest.

“It sounds like something out of feudal society not 21st century Britain.”

There are 3,500 homes set to be built in Winsford by 2030 as part of CWAC’s local plan.

Mrs Lewis is in the early stages of planning a public meeting.