麻豆社

Lynsey Hanley tells the cautionary tale of Howard and Margaret, who are leaseholders of a handsome Georgian style property in central Newcastle.

Every home has a story to tell about Britain's housing crisis. Howard and Margaret have fallen foul of England's leasehold laws and now describe their seemingly desirable home as a 'gilded cage'.

Lynsey explores the leasehold system and finds out just how contentious land ownership in this country can be.

House historian Melanie Backe-Hansen looks at the history of St Thomas Street and Professor Paul Cheshire puts the story in context.

Producer: Laurence Grissell