Campaigners for leasehold reform have attacked the Government's proposals to shake-up the archaic system.

The Brighton, Hove and District Leaseholders' Association says proposals for a new form of tenure - known as commonhold - will only benefit flat owners who have bought their freeholds. Commonhold would allow flat owners in some blocks to manage their buildings collectively.

But the new system should be mandatory in all new blocks if it is to have any effect, the association says - something not proposed by the Government.

Campaigners also say the proposals are unlikely to help people with leasehold problems in existing blocks because people will only be able to move to commonhold if every flat owner votes in favour.

Shula Rich, who chairs the association, said thousands of people were at the mercy of sometimes unscrupulous landlords because the Government had shied away from outlawing leaseholding completely.

She said: "The so-called reforms will be more of the same, policing the system but still not offering the possibility of escape. Leaseholders will still be unable to afford their freeholds, or control their own expenses without engaging in major disputes."

The comments come two weeks before the Queen's Speech, which is expected to include a Commonhold Bill.

There are an estimated 25,000 leaseholders in the Brighton and Hove area, the largest concentration in Britain outside London.