Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leasehold Reform

Monday 15 June 2026 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government continues to implement leasehold reforms already in statute and progresses necessary changes through a commonhold and leasehold reform Bill planned for introduction.
  • The Government is analyzing consultation feedback and developing plans to strengthen regulation of managing agents.
  • A consultation on valuation rates for enfranchisement is planned in coming weeks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Housing
Context

The question addresses the need for comprehensive reforms in the leasehold system, referencing ongoing legislative efforts.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reform the leasehold sector. The Government has already implemented some reforms but needs to progress further with a commonhold and leasehold reform Bill as outlined in the King's Speech.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government continues to implement leasehold reforms already in statute and progresses necessary changes through a commonhold and leasehold reform Bill planned for introduction. This includes fixes to flaws in the previous Government's Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Answered
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Q2 Michelle Welsh Lab Sherwood Forest
Housing
Context

Resident concerns in the Hucknall colliery development regarding high estate management charges, lack of transparency, and poor service from managing agents such as FirstPort.

Question

I met residents frustrated by high charges and poor services. They are confused about bills and promised public space adoption, which never happened. Homeowners feel trapped in unfair arrangements. Will the Minister regulate managing agents to ensure better standards?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Homeowners should not face unfair charges or poor service. The Government is analyzing consultation feedback and developing plans to strengthen regulation of managing agents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on regulatory actions against managing agents were avoided

How: We Are Analysing

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Q3 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Context

Interest in the upcoming leasehold reform measures, particularly on establishing capitalisation and deferment rates for enfranchisement.

Question

The Minister has explained various reforms needed to end feudal leasehold. Can he set out when we will see a consultation on valuation rates for enfranchisement?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

We need new primary legislation to commence the 2024 Act's enfranchisement provisions, flaws of which will be fixed. A consultation on valuation rates is planned in coming weeks.

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Q4 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Housing Local Government
Context

A constituent in sheltered accommodation faces high management fees and lift outages, raising concerns about safety and fairness.

Question

I met a resident dealing with FirstPort's poor service: exorbitant fees and out-of-order lifts. This is not just unfair but unsafe. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this managing agent?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

I am more than happy to meet the hon. Lady and other Members to discuss specific provider issues in detail, including those with FirstPort.

Answered
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Q5 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent's experience with fraudulent theft from a management company highlights the need for regulation.

Question

Jeremy contacted me after his funds were stolen by a management company. No route to redress exists. Will the Minister develop the draft Bill to cover such issues, working with Treasury?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government is considering recommendations on regulating property agents. If the hon. Lady writes more details, I will look into it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to developing the draft Bill to cover financial regulation of management companies was not confirmed

How: If The Hon. Lady Writes

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Q6 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Committee scrutiny of the draft Bill and media speculation about a £250 cap on ground rents by 2027.

Question

My Committee has thoroughly scrutinized the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. Will the Minister confirm a £250 cap by 2027? When will the Bill be introduced?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Government remains committed to making progress with the substantive Bill as quickly as possible, aiming for robust implementation without future fixes needed in primary legislation. The urgency of both presenting the Bill and commencing ground rent provisions is acknowledged.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for implementing a £250 cap on ground rents was not confirmed

How: As Quickly As Possible

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Q7 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

Leaseholders in Northern Ireland have limited control over service charges and means of challenging them, unlike in England and Wales.

Question

I welcome the measures introduced in England and Wales through the 2024 Act to improve transparency of service charges. However, leaseholders in Northern Ireland lack similar protections. Will he liaise with his colleagues in Northern Ireland to support the introduction of similar protections?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The hon. Gentleman is charming, but all I can say is that I am happy to help our counterparts in Northern Ireland learn from the good work this Government are doing on leasehold reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to direct action or policy implementation for Northern Ireland

How: Charm

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Q8 Lewis Cocking Con Broxbourne
Housing
Context

Leaseholders across the UK have waited nearly two years for promised improvements to the leasehold system. Management companies like FirstPort are reportedly charging higher service fees.

Question

We need action, not words, to address bad management companies and hold them accountable under the leasehold Bill. Can the Minister explain why the Bill does not address this issue?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The Conservative party had 14 years to end the system and failed. We are ending it within a Parliament, strengthening regulation of managing agents, and will respond to the Select Committee with further details in future.

Not addressed: Shifted blame to previous government instead of addressing current shortcomings

How: Blame

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