Leasehold Reform 2023-06-05
2023-06-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Residents in Hackney are frustrated by their freeholders' actions, demanding commonhold. The government has made repeated promises but no action.
I met some residents who are leaseholders facing frustration due to their freeholder's actions and want commonhold. Despite manifesto commitments since 2019 and yearly promises from Secretaries of State, we have seen nothing from this Government. Why is there dither and delay?
I do not agree that there has been dither and delay. We have capped ground rents for many leaseholders, committed to better protecting leaseholders from unreasonable costs, extending freehold benefits to more homeowners, and introducing more legislation within this Parliament.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about the reason for delay was not addressed with a concrete timeline or action plan.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Residents in Rathbone Square are experiencing high costs and lack of transparency with their freeholders, WestInvest and Deka. The situation is affecting affordable housing residents disproportionately.
The leaseholders from Rathbone Square and their affordable housing neighbours at 14 Newman Street face issues with their co-owners, WestInvest and Deka, and managing agents, CBRE. There is no transparency and the affordable housing residents are charged five times more for energy. Does my right hon. Friend agree that a complete shake-up of leasehold reform and property management is needed?
Yes, I thank my hon. Friend for bringing these concerns to the House. We are determined to reform this system. It is complex but we note that Labour had 13 years in government without action on leasehold reforms.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about full shake-up was not directly answered with a commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Most countries have banned leaseholds but York sees new developments with leasehold arrangements, charging residents thousands of pounds annually. The commonhold system has been long awaited.
Every country except the UK bans leaseholds; in York, almost every development uses leasehold, extracting significant fees from residents making them trapped. When will the Government bring forward commonhold reforms?
Since banning sale of newbuild leasehold houses in 2017, the number of such houses has decreased significantly. In 2020, only 1.2% were registered as leasehold compared to 17%. We need further legislation and will bring it forward.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about legislating commonhold was not addressed with a concrete timeline or bill name.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
After 21 years of no reform, there is a demand for the leasehold reform bill to be introduced in the next King's Speech.
Can the Minister clarify if this is a priority and whether the leasehold reform Bill will come forward in the next King's Speech?
I cannot pre-empt what is in the King's Speech. However, I stand at this Dispatch Box and strongly commit to bringing forward comprehensive reforms as previously stated.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about introduction in the next King's Speech was not confirmed with a direct yes or no.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The government claims there has been no U-turn on leasehold reform, refusing to commit to a fundamental reform package expected by leaseholders.
Before the recess, the Minister claimed no Government U-turn on leasehold reform and refused to commit to comprehensive reform. Will the Government legislate for all Law Commission's recommendations before this Parliament—yes or no?
We will bring forward comprehensive reforms as promised. We have started and will continue to do so, unlike the Labour Government which did nothing in 13 years.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about legislating all Law Commission recommendations was not directly answered with a commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy