Leaseholders Protection from Unfair Practices 2021-07-19
2021-07-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Unfair practices in the housing market have led to substantial savings being needed by leaseholders, prompting legislative action.
What steps his Department is taking to help protect leaseholders from unfair practices. Unfair practices have no place and need to be ended. Are there specific reforms announced and what is their status?
Unfair practices have no place and we are committed to ending them. We announced reforms in January resulting in substantial savings for leaseholders, and legislation restricting ground rents to zero for future leases is currently with their lordships and will come to this House in the autumn.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Leaseholders need protection under the Building Safety Bill if property developers fail in their obligations, especially if the company becomes insolvent.
Will the Building Safety Bill protect leaseholders if a developer fails to complete its work diligently and becomes insolvent due to malpractice? What protections are included for leaseholders?
The new levy on high-rise residential buildings, Clause 124 of the Bill provides legal requirements for exploring alternative ways to meet remediation costs. If that does not happen, leaseholders can challenge costs in court. Over £5 billion has been announced towards remediation work.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Tracy and many others in Mike Amesbury's constituency face unjust feudal charges, prompting a Labour amendment to extend the bill's ban to all existing leaseholders.
Will the Minister commit to supporting Labour's amendment to extend the ground rent ban to existing leaseholders as well? What protections are being offered now?
96% of high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding have remediated or work under way. The Government are taking action for those in a difficult position through the Building Safety Bill which provides legal requirements for building owners to explore alternative ways to meet future remediation costs.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to supporting Labour's amendment to extend ground rent ban to existing leaseholders
Proportionate Response
Already Taking Action
Response accuracy