Found: remove inappropriate and disproportionate enforcement remedies through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Ordered, That Professor Nicholas Hopkins and Wendy Wilson

Found: • Has the Ministry considered introducing provisions in the final Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: concerning the Government's response to the Committee's report on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Institute to the Chair dated 25 June 2026 concerning recommendations on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Affordability of Home Ownership HC 41 1st Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Affordability of Home Ownership HC 41 1st Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: concerning the Committee's report on pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: 3 June concerning our recent report, Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Institute to the Chair dated 3 June 2026 concerning recommendations on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Communities and Local Government Committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Session 2026–27 Number Title Reference 1st Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Easy Read - 1st Report - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill HC

Found: 1st Report - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill HC 40 Report

Found: Large Print - 1st Report - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: and Local Government Select Committee Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: evidence as part of your Committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: The Government’s draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill marks one of the most significant changes

Found: from Richmond Villages to the Chair dated 24 March 2026 concerning the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: CLR0261 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Airebo Ltd Written

Found: CLR0260 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Shula Rich Written

Found: CLR0259 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Dr Marco Scalvini

Found: CLR0258 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill HM Land Registry

Found: Committee on 17 March as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: CLR0257 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill RTM Steering Committee

Found: Letter from ExtraCare to the Chair dated 18 March 2026 concerning the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: They argue this is crucial for the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: Chair dated 12 March 2026 concerning Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: CLR0256 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill National Leasehold

Found: CLR0255 - Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Daniel van Nieuwenhuizen

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that leaseholders can request a full fibre broadband connection.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of accelerating gigabit-capable broadband deployment across the UK. The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. This will be introduced to parliament as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Part 4A of the Electronic Communications Code within the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 in enabling broadband operators to obtain access to multi-dwelling properties where a landlord or freeholder is unresponsive; and what steps she is taking to reduce delays and administrative burdens associated with that process.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

As of January 2026, Ofcom report that 88% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection. The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 enables network operators to seek time-limited Code rights through a streamlined court process where a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to access requests. While stakeholder engagement indicates landlord non-responsiveness remains a barrier in some cases, wider issues also affect broadband deployment in multi-dwelling buildings. Following a recent consultation on broadband rollout in leaseholds, the Government intends to take forward measures to address wider access barriers through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill when parliamentary time allows.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of taking steps to reduce delays and administrative burdens associated with Part 4A of the Electronic Communications Code.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

As of January 2026, Ofcom report that 88% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection. The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 enables network operators to seek time-limited Code rights through a streamlined court process where a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to access requests. While stakeholder engagement indicates landlord non-responsiveness remains a barrier in some cases, wider issues also affect broadband deployment in multi-dwelling buildings. Following a recent consultation on broadband rollout in leaseholds, the Government intends to take forward measures to address wider access barriers through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill when parliamentary time allows.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of renters being excluded from proposed measures to facilitate access to full fibre broadband on the level of digital inclusion.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of digital inclusion and is committed to ensuring that people can benefit from access to fast, reliable broadband services. This is why we are working to ensure 99% of UK premises can access gigabit broadband coverage by 2032. Legislative measures being taken through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill intend to remove barriers to gigabit-capable broadband deployment in leasehold flats. Renters living in affected premises may benefit where these measures support improved broadband availability in their building.

We continue to engage with stakeholders to understand the impacts of our proposals and consider their effects on residents, including tenants, as part of our broader objective of supporting nationwide access to high-quality digital connectivity, alongside continuing to expand our evidence base on digital inclusion, for example through our new Public Engagement Survey.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of whether existing legislation enables broadband providers to upgrade all existing infrastructure in multi-dwelling units to full fibre.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032 and, as of January 2026, Ofcom report that 88% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection.

The telecoms sector have highlighted that access to multi-dwelling units remain a barrier to network rollout. As confirmed in the King’s Speech, following a consultation on legislative proposals for broadband rollout in leasehold flats, measures will be taken forward in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report, Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, published on 27 May 2026.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department will issue a substantive response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and introduce a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to include an independent regulator of managing agents in the forthcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As per the announcement of 29 September 2026, the government intends to legislate to regulate property agents through an independent statutory regulator. As a minimum this will cover managing agents across leasehold and commonhold, estate agents, letting agents and estate managers on freehold estates.

We will set out further detail on the government’s strategy for the regulation of property agents in due course, including on licensing, qualifications and codes of practice.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to end the leasehold system during this Parliament; and what steps it plans to take to deliver that policy following pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and on 15 July 2026 (HCWS270).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to bring forward legislation to cap ground rents in existing residential leases; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of continued uncapped ground rents on leaseholders.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department will issue a substantive response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and introduce a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill in due course.

Annex 5 of the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill concerns ground rent reform and can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to introduce the final Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill following pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department will issue a substantive response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and introduce a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill in due course.

Annex 5 of the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill concerns ground rent reform and can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and changes to support the housing-with-care sector.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Members to the answer provided on 8 June in response to Question 4726 on the Government’s work in relation to the draft bill.

On the wider issues raised, the Prime Minister has set out his objectives to reform the social care system, and brought forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission to inform that reform programme. All aspects of the current system will be reviewed as part of that process, including housing-with-care, and we will continue to update Parliament on a regular basis. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-new-path-to-fix-social-care-together-29-july-2026

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve a) broadband coverage and b) phone signal in rural areas in Kent.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is delivering gigabit broadband to 99% of UK premises by 2032 through a mix of commercial and subsidised roll-out and has an ambition for all populated areas to be able to access higher quality standalone 5G by 2030; this includes rural communities.

Subsidised broadband connections to harder to reach premises are being delivered via Project Gigabit. 8,750 premises across the 13 local authority districts in Kent are included in the scope of a Project Gigabit contract being delivered by CityFibre, of which c.2,550 premises have already received a gigabit-capable connection via the contract.

Following a recent consultation with suppliers on their capability and interest in further delivery through Project Gigabit in the areas previously covered by CityFibre’s contract, a procurement is now under way with Openreach for a new contract to provide coverage to as many of the remaining premises as possible in Kent.

Regarding mobile phone signal improvements, the rollout of higher quality standalone 5G is commercially led by the network operators, and all three have committed significant investment plans which align with the Government’s ambition. Government is undertaking a Mobile Market Review to assess what further action Government can take to support the sector in delivering comprehensive, high-quality connectivity; we expect to set out next steps later this year.

Government also remains committed to unlocking the barriers to the deployment of digital infrastructure. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats (multi-dwelling units). It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May that our proposed leasehold measures are being taken forward through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. In addition, we are pursuing reforms to the mobile planning system in England with MHCLG. Both Departments are carefully considering responses to the recent joint call for evidence on planning reform and we will determine next steps in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 relating to the removal of marriage value in leasehold enfranchisement will be brought into force, and what the current timetable is for implementation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to implementing measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to make enfranchisement cheaper and easier.

The Act sets the method for calculating the price of a statutory lease extension or freehold acquisition, known as the valuation process. It removes the requirement for marriage value to be paid, caps the treatment of ground rents in the valuation calculation at 0.1% of the freehold value, and allows government to prescribe the rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium.

Valuation rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium will be set by the Secretary of State in secondary legislation. We will consult on valuation rates and commence the relevant provisions as soon as possible.

As per the Written Ministerial Statements made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244) and 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), primary legislation will be required to rectify a small number of specific flaws in the 2024 Act before the Act’s enfranchisement provisions are commenced.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that fixes to these flaws will be included in the forthcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill contains provisions to ensure housing-with-care is affordable to as many retirees as possible.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 108467 on 3 February 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposals to cap ground rents on the ability of professional freeholders to fund or oversee building safety remediation works.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to Annex 5 of the Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found here.

The government is investing £5.2 billion to remove unsafe cladding, with industry funding the remainder through measures including the building safety levy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on the availability of new housing-with-care schemes for older people.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 108467 on 3 February 2026 and UIN 4726 on 8 June 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposals in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on the delivery and funding of building safety remediation programmes.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to Annex 5 of the Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found here.

The government is investing £5.2 billion to remove unsafe cladding, with industry funding the remainder through measures including the building safety levy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has assessed the potential risks to leaseholders arising from freeholder insolvencies that may result from ground rent reform.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to Annex 5 of the Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found here.

The government is investing £5.2 billion to remove unsafe cladding, with industry funding the remainder through measures including the building safety levy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risk that proposals to cap ground rents could contribute to freeholder insolvencies.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to Annex 5 of the Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found here.

The government is investing £5.2 billion to remove unsafe cladding, with industry funding the remainder through measures including the building safety levy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the capping of ground rents will affect the price of the purchase of the freehold by leaseholders.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We will implement measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act to make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend a lease or buy their freehold (enfranchisement). The Act caps ground rent in the enfranchisement calculation at 0.1% of the freehold value.

We will also cap ground rents via the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill at £250 transitioning to a peppercorn after 40 years.

I refer the Noble Lord to the government’s draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. This was published on 19 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here (attached). It has been reviewed by the independent Regulatory Policy Committee which published its opinion on 1 May. It can be found on gov.uk here (attached).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to bring the increase to the collective enfranchisement threshold for mixed use premises from 25% commercial to 50% into force.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s intention is to commence Section 29 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act alongside other enfranchisement provisions contained within it.

To commence the Act’s enfranchisement provisions, we need to rectify via primary legislation a small number of specific but serious flaws that prevent certain provisions from operating as intended.

The King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 confirmed that we will do so through the forthcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of service charges in leasehold retirement properties on the ability of older residents and their families to sell those properties.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to protect residents of leasehold retirement properties from unaffordable increases in service charges and associated management fees.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provisions in the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill for leaseholders of houses on mixed estates containing flats and houses.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Owners of existing leasehold houses will benefit from a number of the provisions of our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill including the abolition of forfeiture for leasehold; regulation of estate rentcharges; and the capping of ground rents at £250 a year, changing to a peppercorn cap after 40 years.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an estimate of the number of leasehold retirement properties that may be difficult for people to sell because of (a) high service charges and (b) associated fees.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether forthcoming leasehold reform legislation will include measures to protect residents of retirement leasehold properties from (a) excessive service charges and (b) associated barriers to sale.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure ethical practices by major retirement housing providers in regard to leaseholder rights; and whether he plans to alter the retirement housing service charges system.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what protections are in place for the families of deceased leaseholders of retirement properties who continue to incur service charges while a property remains unsold.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. We are also committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. We continue to analyse the feedback received and will set out next steps in due course.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees and a comprehensive report into resale values to support better consumer understanding and sector development.

On 27 January 2026, we published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278), a guide to the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here, and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of i) service charges, ii) daily standard charges for electricity, and iii) ground rent on retirement home sales in Chichester constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold data on average service charges in Chichester.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to the draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of commonhold as the default tenure for flats on the (a) property price and (b) saleability of leasehold flats.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s draft Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. This was published on 19 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here. It has been reviewed by the independent Regulatory Policy Committee which published its opinion on 1 May. It can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure Scottish families and businesses, including those in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, are included in reforms to improve ultrafast broadband access proposed in the UK Government’s latest consultation.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has, in collaboration with its counterpart in the Scottish Government, made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to allow broadband providers to access communal areas in multi-dwelling units to upgrade flats and apartments across Scotland.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of whether those living in in leasehold flats and apartments in Scotland will be able to benefit from the improved access to ultrafast broadband proposed in her Department’s recent consultation.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what legislative options her Department is considering to improve broadband builders’ access to upgrade rental flats and apartments.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The consultation on legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats was published on 15th December and closed on 16th February 2026. The proposals are based on leasehold law and are applicable in England and Wales. Whilst the proposals in the consultation do not extend to Scotland, we continue to engage with the Devolved Nations on issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including deployments to blocks of flats.

It was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill would include provisions to create a new right for leaseholders in flats to request improvements, such as gigabit-capable broadband. We are currently analysing responses to the consultation and are working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the final policy proposals. We will provide an update on the outcome in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will ensure the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill includes retrospective powers for leaseholders to remove 'embedded managers,' without no-fault litigation where historic structural neglect is proven.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is unacceptable for a managing agent to refuse to vacate a site when it loses a contract to another agent. Landlords may seek legal advice on possible courses of action when such circumstances arise. These may include making a formal complaint to the relevant redress scheme or seeking an injunction in the County Court. Leaseholders, including resident directors, can also seek guidance and free initial legal advice from the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

The previous government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains no provisions designed to prevent managing agents using subsidiary, sister, or associated organisations to deliver services.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill contains no provisions relating to embedded management companies. We await the conclusions of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill being undertaken by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and will review the feedback received before publishing a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made for the effectiveness of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in preventing vertical integration within management groups, where managing agents appoint their own organisation and sister, or associated companies as Company Secretaries and maintenance providers.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is unacceptable for a managing agent to refuse to vacate a site when it loses a contract to another agent. Landlords may seek legal advice on possible courses of action when such circumstances arise. These may include making a formal complaint to the relevant redress scheme or seeking an injunction in the County Court. Leaseholders, including resident directors, can also seek guidance and free initial legal advice from the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

The previous government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains no provisions designed to prevent managing agents using subsidiary, sister, or associated organisations to deliver services.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill contains no provisions relating to embedded management companies. We await the conclusions of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill being undertaken by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and will review the feedback received before publishing a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to resident management companies on steps to take when a national service maintenance provider (managing agent) refuses to vacate a site following a lawful notice of termination.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is unacceptable for a managing agent to refuse to vacate a site when it loses a contract to another agent. Landlords may seek legal advice on possible courses of action when such circumstances arise. These may include making a formal complaint to the relevant redress scheme or seeking an injunction in the County Court. Leaseholders, including resident directors, can also seek guidance and free initial legal advice from the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

The previous government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains no provisions designed to prevent managing agents using subsidiary, sister, or associated organisations to deliver services.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill contains no provisions relating to embedded management companies. We await the conclusions of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill being undertaken by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and will review the feedback received before publishing a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to include measures to replace forfeiture in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On forfeiture reform, I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement on 27 January 2026 (HLWS1278).

The government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents.

The previous government committed to regulate the property agent sector in 2018 and asked a working group Chaired by Lord Best to advise them how to do it, yet it failed to respond to their findings from 2019. We are looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector, particularly in light of the recommendations in the final Grenfell Inquiry report.

On 4 July 2025, we launched a wide-ranging consultation on proposals to hold landlords and managing agents to account for the services they provide and the charges and fees they levy. This included a number of proposals recommended by Lord Best, including the introduction of mandatory qualifications for managing agents and estate managers on freehold estates. We are clear that this consultation is not the final step in the regulation of managing agents and we will continue to reflect on the various other recommendations made in the 2019 report.

The government’s recent home buying and selling reform consultation sought views on proposals to professionalise property agents, including introducing a code of practice setting out minimum standards for letting, estate and managing agents.

The government also proposed a future consultation on mandatory qualifications for letting and estate agents and, depending on the outcome, potential legislation in respect of this issue. The home buying and selling reform consultation closed on 29 December and we will publish a roadmap setting out further details later this year.

Found: In January 2026, it published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Found: leasehold system to an end”.40 To this end, the government published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Conduct of Bellway Homes Limited

Leasehold reform

Found: security in their homes • The Renters Reform Act became law • Published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: • Published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Found: . • Published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

Found: • Published the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Housing

Found: investment ; more information can be found in the impact assessment for the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: In the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, the government is legislating to cap ground rents at £250

Found: In the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, the government is legislating to cap ground rents at £250

Found: today will be implemented as soon as possible and will complement the upcoming Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: The likely size of the substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, at around 260 clauses and 20

Found: The likely size of the substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, at around 260 clauses and 20

Found: design and delivery of further reforms, including those set out in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill will transform the experience of home ownership for millions

Found: and Wales by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LFRA) and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: including support for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: residential buildings, particularly in the social housing sector, and the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill published in January 2026, sets out proposals to reinvigorate

Found: The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill — which will make commonhold the default tenure for new flats

Found: The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill — which will make commonhold the default tenure for new flats

Found: and to reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: and to reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: design and delivery of further reforms, including those set out in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: RPC statement: draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: and to reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents (Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: RPC opinion: impact of draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: RPC opinion: impact of draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: ........................................................................42 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: ........................................................................ 42 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: ..................................................................... 42 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: - Letter to Matthew Pennycook Minister of State for Housing and Planning - Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: We draw your attention to references made in the summary of clauses in the Leasehold Reform Bill LCM

Found: We draw your attention to references made in the summary of clauses in the Leasehold Reform Bill LCM

Found: responding to the Law Commission’s recommendations for reform, it is paving the way for a wider Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: The upcoming draft UK Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which is due to be published by the end

Found: The upcoming draft UK Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which is due to be published by the end

Found: The upcoming draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which is due to be published by the end of

Found: The upcoming draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which is due to be published by the end of

Found: Written Statement: Publication of draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill (30 January 2026)

Found: and Digital Information Bill; the Victims and Prisoners Bill; the Trade (CPTPP) Bill and the Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: and Digital Information Bill; the Victims and Prisoners Bill; the Trade (CPTPP) Bill and the Leasehold Reform Bill

Found: is ongoing towards the expected introduction later this year of a further England and Wales leasehold reform Bill

Found: Indeed, what was said in 1967 by the then Housing Minister in the Parliamentary debates on the Leasehold Reform Bill

Question

What steps is the Welsh Government taking to move away from the leasehold system?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government

I have welcomed the publication of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in the UK Parliament. The Bill includes reforms to make commonhold the workable alternative to leasehold it was always intended to be. It also sets out the legal framework for a ban on the use of certain long residential leases of flats from an as yet unspecified future date. 

We continue to work closely with the UK Government on this important area of reform. As I have said before, the law underpinning leasehold is complex and challenging for ordinary homeowners to navigate effectively. Working together on a common body of reformed law will reduce complexity, maximise clarity and coherence, and ensure the new fairer reformed system applies to all.