leaseholder

Like thousands of other leaseholders, they have experienced significant increases in their service charges, particularly since 2019.

Under the leasehold system, third-party landlords known as freeholders own the building and a leaseholder buys the right to occupy a flat within it for a fixed time period.

Some lawyers claim the new law was "rushed" but the government says it covers the majority of leaseholders and it will continue to review the legislation.

Onward Homes says it plans to hold a "thorough tender exercise" for the repairs to get value for money, alongside a "full consultation" with leaseholders before work beings, the spokeswoman said.

Many of the leaseholders in Sheffield appeared to have been convinced by his explanations in 2022, and, when challenged by the BBC, Mr El Paraiso produced testimonials from some of them.