Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leasehold Reform

Monday 13 April 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government continue to implement reforms to end the leasehold system, including provisions in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.
  • The Government are committed to strengthening regulation for managing agents and will activate improved leaseholder consumer rights from the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
  • The Minister is willing to engage with Northern Ireland counterparts to ensure UK Government proposals help constituents dealing with leasehold issues in all parts of the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen
Housing
Context

The question addresses ongoing reforms to the leasehold system and seeks details on concrete actions being taken.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reform the leasehold sector. The Government continue to implement reforms that are already in statute and progress necessary reforms to end the leasehold system for good, including provisions in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill published on 27 January.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government are committed to strengthening regulation for managing agents and will switch on improved leaseholder consumer rights provided by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 at the earliest opportunity. The Minister is considering measures to address exorbitant service charge increases and protect people like Yvonne.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on measures being considered against property management firms are not provided, only a commitment to write with more information.

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Q2 Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen
Housing
Context

A constituent, Yvonne, has faced a quadrupling of service charges from £400 to £1,550 without corresponding maintenance work. This prompted questions about tackling property management firms causing such issues.

Question

My constituent Yvonne lives in a house owned for 20 years under leasehold arrangement with Principle Estate Management increasing her service charge from £400 to £1,550 without conducting any maintenance. Will the Minister outline what action is being taken to tackle property management firms so people like Yvonne are not continually ripped off?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government are committed to strengthening regulation for managing agents and will switch on improved leaseholder consumer rights provided by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 at the earliest opportunity. The Minister is considering measures but will write with full details.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on measures being considered against property management firms are not provided, only a commitment to write with more information.

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Housing Northern Ireland
Context

Similar issues exist in the questioner's constituency and they seek to ensure that Northern Irish constituents can benefit from proposed legislative changes.

Question

Will the Minister talk with relevant Ministers in Northern Ireland to ensure that UK Government proposals help Northern Irish constituents dealing with leasehold issues?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Minister engages regularly with Northern Ireland counterparts and is happy to provide insights of proposals for England and Wales, aiming to help constituents in all parts of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on how leasehold reform will be applied in Northern Ireland are not provided; only a commitment to discuss and share information.

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