Found: Matt Brewis: I gave evidence to this Committee last year and to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: Matt Brewis: I gave evidence to this Committee last year and to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: Matt Brewis: I gave evidence to this Committee last year and to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: When we asked Baroness Penn about this issue, she told us that the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold

Found: of State for Social Housing and Faith to Baroness Drake, Chair of the Constitution Committee on the Leasehold

Found: Further reform is planned through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which is currently awaiting

Found: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Leasehold

Found: that is passing through Parliament at the moment, there is the Renters (Reform) Bill as well as the Leasehold

Found: We welcome the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill as far as it goes, but feel it is a missed opportunity

Found: The present Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill addresses a handful of these unfairnesses, but by

Found: responsible for, which your Lordships will have a chance to scrutinise—our Renters Reform Bill and the Leasehold

Found: With the Building Safety Bill, the Renters (Reform) Bill, and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: With the Building Safety Bill, the Renters (Reform) Bill, and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: insurance premiums being passed onto leaseholders. 28 This has since been included in the Government’s Leasehold

Found: insurance premiums being passed onto leaseholders. 28 This has since been included in the Government’s Leasehold

Found: decision in the case of Avon Ground Rents Limited v Canary Gateway (Block A) RTM Company Ltd.6 The Leasehold

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment on the potential impact of increased service charges on (a) leaseholders and (b) local authorities in Oxfordshire.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Service charges should be transparent, reasonable and there should be a clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will help make this reality.

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of progress on the Leasehold and Freehold reform Bill. Full details of the measures can be found here: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to ensure low income households can appeal increased service charges.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Service charges should be transparent, reasonable and there should be a clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will help make this reality.

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of progress on the Leasehold and Freehold reform Bill. Full details of the measures can be found here: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many of the recommendations made by the Law Commission in its report on leasehold enfranchisement, entitled Commonhold and the right to manage, published on 21 July 2020, have been incorporated into the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill delivers the most impactful of the Law Commission’s recommendations on enfranchisement, which will make it cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease, and the Right to Manage. This includes increasing the non-residential limit to 50% to give more leaseholders the right to take over management and changing the rules to make each party pay their own process and litigation costs, saving leaseholders many thousands of pounds.

The Government has and will continue to set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the continued progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to tackle forfeiture of leasehold properties.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill delivers the most impactful of the Law Commission’s recommendations on enfranchisement, which will make it cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease, and the Right to Manage. This includes increasing the non-residential limit to 50% to give more leaseholders the right to take over management and changing the rules to make each party pay their own process and litigation costs, saving leaseholders many thousands of pounds.

The Government has and will continue to set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the continued progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he last met the Law Commission to discuss leasehold reform.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill delivers the most impactful of the Law Commission’s recommendations on enfranchisement, which will make it cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease, and the Right to Manage. This includes increasing the non-residential limit to 50% to give more leaseholders the right to take over management and changing the rules to make each party pay their own process and litigation costs, saving leaseholders many thousands of pounds.

The Government has and will continue to set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the continued progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make it his policy to require local authorities to put the names of all unadopted roads in their authority on a website with the name of the responsible developer for each road.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

I am grateful to my Honourable Friend for his suggestions and it is one we will bear in mind for the future.

Prospective homeowners should be made aware of the financial arrangements and their responsibilities are for the upkeep of any communal areas, whether public or otherwise, prior to purchase. Through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, we are taking action to protect homeowners and drive-up awareness of ongoing obligations when buying and selling a property.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of an increase in the non-residential limit for collective enfranchisement on the composition of retail streets in London’s Central Activity Zone.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was published on 11 December 2023 and is available on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. The Impact Assessment considers the non-monetised impact of increasing the non-residential for collective enfranchisement claims including the potential impact on freeholders, high streets, and businesses.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which overseas investors will benefit from an increase in the non-residential limit for collective enfranchisement under proposed leasehold reforms.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was published on 11 December 2023 and is available on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. The Impact Assessment considers the non-monetised impact of increasing the non-residential for collective enfranchisement claims including the potential impact on freeholders, high streets, and businesses.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many high streets in local authority ownership will be affected by an increase in the non-residential limit for collective enfranchisement under proposed leasehold reforms.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was published on 11 December 2023 and is available on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. The Impact Assessment considers the non-monetised impact of increasing the non-residential for collective enfranchisement claims including the potential impact on freeholders, high streets, and businesses.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to help leaseholders with premium insurance rates for multi-occupancy residential buildings affected by (a) flammable cladding and (b) other material safety risks.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government continues to put extreme pressure into ensuring more fair and proportionate premiums for leaseholders living in multi-occupancy buildings with fire safety issues.

The FCA recommended that the insurance industry develop a risk-sharing facility for buildings with fire-safety issues. The Association of British Insurers’ Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility launched on 1 April 2024 in response to this recommendation. We are closely monitoring the Facility to understand the extent to which it improves outcomes for leaseholders.

On 31 December 2023, FCA changes came into force to give leaseholders rights under Fair Value rules and require the disclosure of key policy information. We welcome these changes and expect that they will help reduce the unfair costs facing leaseholders.

On 27 November 2023, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was introduced into Parliament. The Bill bans insurance commissions being passed to freeholders and managing agents, replacing these with transparent handling fees. This will stop leaseholders being charged excessive and opaque commissions on top of their premiums.

The Government has also published a commitment by 14 insurance broker companies to cap their commissions to 15%, stop sharing commissions with managing agents, landlords and freeholders, and share policy information with leaseholders when requested. The pledge will benefit leaseholders in buildings over 11 metres (or four storeys) in height with identified fire safety defects, where these details have been made known to the insurance broker.

We will continue to monitor the impact these changes have had on leaseholder premiums, and will remain engaged with industry regarding whether any further steps may be required.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to tackle high services charges for leaseholders in Battersea.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to bring forward an amendment to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to ban forfeiture.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support his Department is providing to leaseholders in Battersea who are facing service charges increases.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to introduce legislation to create a regulator for service charges.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government has set out its position on leasehold reform as part of the progress of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his planned timetable is to respond to the call for evidence entitled Leaseholder-owned buildings (11m+ or 5 storeys+).

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The department does not routinely collect data on bankruptcy or the reasons for them; we would welcome any specific concerns being raised directly should those with an interest in this policy area wish to do so.

It is important to note that there are multiple ways leaseholders can seek support in remediation. The Leasehold Advisory Service, funded by the department, provides free advice to leaseholders on legal matters.

Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 allows any leaseholders, including those who are leaseholders in a building subject to collective enfranchisement, to apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek a Remediation Contribution Order from a previous owner, developer or persons associated with either of these, for funds to remediate relevant defects (including non-cladding defects) in their buildings.

Leaseholders in buildings subject to collective enfranchisement can also seek to recover costs of non-cladding defects through the retrospectively extended limitation period under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act. We have also extended the reach of civil liability to associated companies of developers and a new cause of action which allows manufacturers of construction products to be pursued.

Another possible course of action would be to consider recourse to litigation under the Defective Premises Act where costs may be recovered from those responsible for historical defects on the building if construction was completed on or after 28 June 1992 and a dwelling in the building is unfit for habitation.

The Government published a call for evidence on leaseholder-owned buildings, which closed on 14 November 2022. We are carefully considering the evidence, which will help inform Government policy on how best to protect the leaseholders in leaseholder-owned buildings from the impact of building safety defects. This evidence has informed the policy thinking which resulted in the inclusion of building safety measures to further strengthen Remediation Contribution Orders in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The department does not hold data on the average value of the portfolios of leaseholders who own more than three properties. The department issued a call for evidence on 21 March 2024 to assess the impact of the leaseholder protections where a leasehold property is owned by two or more individuals. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an estimate of the number and proportion of leaseholders that have declared bankruptcy after not qualifying for the leaseholder protections within the Building Safety Act 2022.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The department does not routinely collect data on bankruptcy or the reasons for them; we would welcome any specific concerns being raised directly should those with an interest in this policy area wish to do so.

It is important to note that there are multiple ways leaseholders can seek support in remediation. The Leasehold Advisory Service, funded by the department, provides free advice to leaseholders on legal matters.

Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 allows any leaseholders, including those who are leaseholders in a building subject to collective enfranchisement, to apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek a Remediation Contribution Order from a previous owner, developer or persons associated with either of these, for funds to remediate relevant defects (including non-cladding defects) in their buildings.

Leaseholders in buildings subject to collective enfranchisement can also seek to recover costs of non-cladding defects through the retrospectively extended limitation period under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act. We have also extended the reach of civil liability to associated companies of developers and a new cause of action which allows manufacturers of construction products to be pursued.

Another possible course of action would be to consider recourse to litigation under the Defective Premises Act where costs may be recovered from those responsible for historical defects on the building if construction was completed on or after 28 June 1992 and a dwelling in the building is unfit for habitation.

The Government published a call for evidence on leaseholder-owned buildings, which closed on 14 November 2022. We are carefully considering the evidence, which will help inform Government policy on how best to protect the leaseholders in leaseholder-owned buildings from the impact of building safety defects. This evidence has informed the policy thinking which resulted in the inclusion of building safety measures to further strengthen Remediation Contribution Orders in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The department does not hold data on the average value of the portfolios of leaseholders who own more than three properties. The department issued a call for evidence on 21 March 2024 to assess the impact of the leaseholder protections where a leasehold property is owned by two or more individuals. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department issues guidance on the rights of residents living in buildings over 11 meters in height consisting both freeholders and leaseholders.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The department does not routinely collect data on bankruptcy or the reasons for them; we would welcome any specific concerns being raised directly should those with an interest in this policy area wish to do so.

It is important to note that there are multiple ways leaseholders can seek support in remediation. The Leasehold Advisory Service, funded by the department, provides free advice to leaseholders on legal matters.

Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 allows any leaseholders, including those who are leaseholders in a building subject to collective enfranchisement, to apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek a Remediation Contribution Order from a previous owner, developer or persons associated with either of these, for funds to remediate relevant defects (including non-cladding defects) in their buildings.

Leaseholders in buildings subject to collective enfranchisement can also seek to recover costs of non-cladding defects through the retrospectively extended limitation period under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act. We have also extended the reach of civil liability to associated companies of developers and a new cause of action which allows manufacturers of construction products to be pursued.

Another possible course of action would be to consider recourse to litigation under the Defective Premises Act where costs may be recovered from those responsible for historical defects on the building if construction was completed on or after 28 June 1992 and a dwelling in the building is unfit for habitation.

The Government published a call for evidence on leaseholder-owned buildings, which closed on 14 November 2022. We are carefully considering the evidence, which will help inform Government policy on how best to protect the leaseholders in leaseholder-owned buildings from the impact of building safety defects. This evidence has informed the policy thinking which resulted in the inclusion of building safety measures to further strengthen Remediation Contribution Orders in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The department does not hold data on the average value of the portfolios of leaseholders who own more than three properties. The department issued a call for evidence on 21 March 2024 to assess the impact of the leaseholder protections where a leasehold property is owned by two or more individuals. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help support enfranchised leaseholders living in buildings taller than 11 meters with the costs of remediating non-cladding building safety defects.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The department does not routinely collect data on bankruptcy or the reasons for them; we would welcome any specific concerns being raised directly should those with an interest in this policy area wish to do so.

It is important to note that there are multiple ways leaseholders can seek support in remediation. The Leasehold Advisory Service, funded by the department, provides free advice to leaseholders on legal matters.

Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 allows any leaseholders, including those who are leaseholders in a building subject to collective enfranchisement, to apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek a Remediation Contribution Order from a previous owner, developer or persons associated with either of these, for funds to remediate relevant defects (including non-cladding defects) in their buildings.

Leaseholders in buildings subject to collective enfranchisement can also seek to recover costs of non-cladding defects through the retrospectively extended limitation period under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act. We have also extended the reach of civil liability to associated companies of developers and a new cause of action which allows manufacturers of construction products to be pursued.

Another possible course of action would be to consider recourse to litigation under the Defective Premises Act where costs may be recovered from those responsible for historical defects on the building if construction was completed on or after 28 June 1992 and a dwelling in the building is unfit for habitation.

The Government published a call for evidence on leaseholder-owned buildings, which closed on 14 November 2022. We are carefully considering the evidence, which will help inform Government policy on how best to protect the leaseholders in leaseholder-owned buildings from the impact of building safety defects. This evidence has informed the policy thinking which resulted in the inclusion of building safety measures to further strengthen Remediation Contribution Orders in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The department does not hold data on the average value of the portfolios of leaseholders who own more than three properties. The department issued a call for evidence on 21 March 2024 to assess the impact of the leaseholder protections where a leasehold property is owned by two or more individuals. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an estimate of the average portfolio value of leaseholders that own more than three properties.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The department does not routinely collect data on bankruptcy or the reasons for them; we would welcome any specific concerns being raised directly should those with an interest in this policy area wish to do so.

It is important to note that there are multiple ways leaseholders can seek support in remediation. The Leasehold Advisory Service, funded by the department, provides free advice to leaseholders on legal matters.

Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 allows any leaseholders, including those who are leaseholders in a building subject to collective enfranchisement, to apply to the First Tier Tribunal to seek a Remediation Contribution Order from a previous owner, developer or persons associated with either of these, for funds to remediate relevant defects (including non-cladding defects) in their buildings.

Leaseholders in buildings subject to collective enfranchisement can also seek to recover costs of non-cladding defects through the retrospectively extended limitation period under Section 1 of the Defective Premises Act. We have also extended the reach of civil liability to associated companies of developers and a new cause of action which allows manufacturers of construction products to be pursued.

Another possible course of action would be to consider recourse to litigation under the Defective Premises Act where costs may be recovered from those responsible for historical defects on the building if construction was completed on or after 28 June 1992 and a dwelling in the building is unfit for habitation.

The Government published a call for evidence on leaseholder-owned buildings, which closed on 14 November 2022. We are carefully considering the evidence, which will help inform Government policy on how best to protect the leaseholders in leaseholder-owned buildings from the impact of building safety defects. This evidence has informed the policy thinking which resulted in the inclusion of building safety measures to further strengthen Remediation Contribution Orders in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

The department does not hold data on the average value of the portfolios of leaseholders who own more than three properties. The department issued a call for evidence on 21 March 2024 to assess the impact of the leaseholder protections where a leasehold property is owned by two or more individuals. The Call for Evidence closed on 5 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of capping ground rents on the public purse.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of which region will see the largest transfer of marriage value from freeholder to leaseholder under proposed leasehold reforms.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was published on 11 December 2023 and is available on the Parliament website (attached) at: Leasehold and Freehold ReformBill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. This includes an estimate of the impact of removing marriage value on different groups and regions.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed removal of marriage value under proposed leasehold reforms on (1) property investors and (2) foreign investors.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was published on 11 December 2023 and is available on the Parliament website (attached) at: Leasehold and Freehold ReformBill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. This includes an estimate of the impact of removing marriage value on different groups and regions.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Leasehold reforms give more rights and protections to homeowners, published on 27 November 2023, when he plans to bring forward legislative measures to amend the Building Safety Act 2022 to make it easier to ensure that those who caused building-safety defects in enfranchised buildings are made to pay.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Under Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022 leaseholders in enfranchised buildings, either individually or collectively, can pursue developers – and their associated companies – via a remediation contribution order, for funds they have spent or will spend remediating their buildings for relevant defects.

We are building on the legislation brought forward by the Act. The Government has tabled several amendments for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to clarify and extend the protections in some specific areas. These amendments will further prevent freeholders and developers from escaping their liabilities to fund building remediation work – protecting leaseholders by allowing the Building Safety Act 2022 to operate as intended, as well as adding further protections in some specific scenarios.

For example, we have made clear that a remediation contribution order can, among other things, order the landlord or developer to make payments for the costs of:

• steps which reduce the risk of a relevant defect;
• obtaining an expert report; and,
• temporary alternative accommodation and associated costs in connection with a decant from a building in connection with a relevant defect.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will extend the right to enfranchisement under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to leases which are in form agricultural but in essence residential.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

We are not currently proposing to do so but I would be happy to meet my Hon Friend to discuss his concern in more detail, should that be helpful.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions he has had with local authorities on ensuring that residents do not live on estates without completed works of estate adoption.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Respecting the established framework of devolution of powers and responsibilities to local government it is mainly for developers and local planning authorities to agree appropriate managing and funding arrangements for developments with common areas or shared services. The Government is also closely examining the findings of the Competition and Market Authority report that was published on 26 February.

Simultaneously, the Government is making estate management companies more accountable to existing homeowners for how their money is spent. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make sure that existing homeowners who pay estate management charges have the right to challenge their reasonableness and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager to manage the provision of services. On freehold estates reform more generally, we understand the strength of feeling on this issue and we are considering it further.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what regulatory powers they have to ensure leaseholders are protected from unreasonable charges or inadequate services property management agents.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

By law all variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard and leaseholders may challenge them at the property tribunal. It is also a legal requirement for managing and letting agents in England to belong to one of the two Government approved redress schemes.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make it easier for leaseholders to scrutinise costs and challenge the services provided by both landlords and property managing agents. The Bill includes measures to require landlords to provide further information to leaseholders upfront and increase the transparency of their service charges and administration charges, as well as providing more information to leaseholders when requested.

For those homeowners on private and mixed tenure freehold estates, the Bill will also give them rights to challenge costs at the tribunal and improved rights of transparency of costs and services.

The Government intends to work closely with stakeholders to determine the detail of how the measures will work to protect leaseholders, which will be set out in secondary legislation.

These measures, alongside existing protections and work undertaken by industry, will make property managing agents more accountable to the leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates that pay for their services, and we will keep under review the need for further regulation in the sector.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to launch a consultation about the experiences of leaseholders in relation to service charges.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

By law all variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard and leaseholders may challenge them at the property tribunal. It is also a legal requirement for managing and letting agents in England to belong to one of the two Government approved redress schemes.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make it easier for leaseholders to scrutinise costs and challenge the services provided by both landlords and property managing agents. The Bill includes measures to require landlords to provide further information to leaseholders upfront and increase the transparency of their service charges and administration charges, as well as providing more information to leaseholders when requested.

For those homeowners on private and mixed tenure freehold estates, the Bill will also give them rights to challenge costs at the tribunal and improved rights of transparency of costs and services.

The Government intends to work closely with stakeholders to determine the detail of how the measures will work to protect leaseholders, which will be set out in secondary legislation.

These measures, alongside existing protections and work undertaken by industry, will make property managing agents more accountable to the leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates that pay for their services, and we will keep under review the need for further regulation in the sector.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the transparency of ownership structures of freehold property management agents.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

By law all variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard and leaseholders may challenge them at the property tribunal. It is also a legal requirement for managing and letting agents in England to belong to one of the two Government approved redress schemes.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make it easier for leaseholders to scrutinise costs and challenge the services provided by both landlords and property managing agents. The Bill includes measures to require landlords to provide further information to leaseholders upfront and increase the transparency of their service charges and administration charges, as well as providing more information to leaseholders when requested.

For those homeowners on private and mixed tenure freehold estates, the Bill will also give them rights to challenge costs at the tribunal and improved rights of transparency of costs and services.

The Government intends to work closely with stakeholders to determine the detail of how the measures will work to protect leaseholders, which will be set out in secondary legislation.

These measures, alongside existing protections and work undertaken by industry, will make property managing agents more accountable to the leaseholders and homeowners on freehold estates that pay for their services, and we will keep under review the need for further regulation in the sector.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department distinguishes between (a) relocation agents, (b) estate agents and (c) property agents within the housing sector, in the context of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The existing measures in this Bill will apply principally to managing agents acting on behalf of their landlord or estate manager, but measures relating to the ban on new leasehold houses will also apply to those involved in marketing a property, including estate agents.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of tribunal processes against freeholders on the wellbeing of leaseholders.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

An impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been published at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament. The Bill will rebalance the legal costs regime and remove barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help prevent unreasonable service charges on freehold estates.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

This Government is implementing significant reforms to support homeowners through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

As part of this, we will introduce measures to enable homeowners to hold estate management companies to account for what they spend.

This includes giving homeowners more information on what they are paying for, and the ability to challenge the reasonableness of their costs.

As Continued at Report Stage, the Government understands the strength of feeling on this issue, and we are considering it further.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of service charge regulations for property management companies.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Service charges should be transparent, reasonable and there should be a clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will ensure that all leaseholders receive minimum key financial and non-financial information to help them scrutinise and more effectively challenge their landlord if they consider their fees are unreasonable.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will publish guidance to enable the recognition of residents associations by managing agents.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government published regulations in 2018 that make it easier for leaseholders to form Recognised Tenants’ Associations (RTAs). These associations have legal standing and significant abilities to hold their landlord to account. Meanwhile, the Government continues to work with industry on improving best practice across the property agent sector. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make it easier for leaseholders to scrutinise costs and challenge the services provided by both landlords and property managing agents and to better protect and empower leaseholders, alongside existing protections and work undertaken by industry to raise professionalism and standards.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the property management industry on maintaining quality and standards of service.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Government continues to work with industry on improving best practice across the property agent sector. As part of this, and during development of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders, including representatives from the property management industry. We will continue to do so.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases, which closed on 17 January 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential cost to the public purse of providing compensation to freeholders under those proposals.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at: ​​Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases​.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to assess the risk of legal challenge to proposed policies in the consultation entitled Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at: ​​Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases​.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a redress scheme to enable leaseholders to bring complaint cases against their freeholder.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

There is no one set of information which captures the full extent of leaseholder concerns as these come in many forms.

Leaseholders have a number of routes to redress including challenging the reasonableness of costs or services provided at the Property Tribunal, making a complaint through a freeholder or managing agent’s own complaints procedures, or using a government approved redress scheme of which all managing agents must belong by law.

Through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill the Government will expand routes of redress for leaseholders where their landlord carries out their own management of the building by requiring these landlords to join a redress scheme.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many cases of (a) freehold and (b) management company misconduct have been reported in the last 12 months.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

There is no one set of information which captures the full extent of leaseholder concerns as these come in many forms.

Leaseholders have a number of routes to redress including challenging the reasonableness of costs or services provided at the Property Tribunal, making a complaint through a freeholder or managing agent’s own complaints procedures, or using a government approved redress scheme of which all managing agents must belong by law.

Through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill the Government will expand routes of redress for leaseholders where their landlord carries out their own management of the building by requiring these landlords to join a redress scheme.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to para 1.12 of his Department's consultation entitled Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases, which closed on 17 January 2024, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of capping ground rents at a peppercorn on the pensions industry.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at: ​​Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases​.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases, which closed on 17 January 2024, whether he has has had discussions with colleagues on the compliance of those proposals with human rights law.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at: ​​Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases​.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposals in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on pensioners whose income comes partly from ground rent.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Government has consulted on a range of options to restrict ground rent in existing leases and asked questions about the effects of these proposals. We received a significant number of responses from a variety of sources. A consultation impact assessment has been published and can be found at: ​​Consultation impact assessment - modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases​.

That consultation closed on 17 January, and Government is currently analysing the responses before taking a decision on how to restrict ground rents through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions a leaseholder with 99 years left on their lease has to take to take advantage of proposals for a peppercorn rent in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill presently before Parliament.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to extend their lease or buy the freehold. The Bill includes a statutory right for qualifying leaseholders to obtain a 990-year lease extension, or to buy their freehold, on payment of a premium. In doing so they can obtain a peppercorn ground rent. In calculating the premium, the value of ground rent is capped at 0.1% of the freehold value.

In addition we have consulted on options to restrict ground rents for current leases and will respond to that consultation in due course. This Government has already restricted ground rents for new residential leases to a peppercorn.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps he has taken to support residents’ groups in addressing barriers to their exercise of the right to manage; and what steps he is taking to improve transparency to help residents’ groups understand barriers to their exercise of the right to manage.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, currently before the Commons, includes measures relating to the right to manage amongst other things.

The Leasehold Advisory Service offers free expert advice to leaseholders, and can support consumers in understanding the steps they need to take in exercising their right to manage.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to stop managing agents charging leaseholders excessive commission charges for renewing buildings insurance.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill seeks to ban the placer of insurance on residential leasehold properties from receiving any form of commission that is passed on to leaseholders as a cost. Instead, costs relating to the placement and management of buildings insurance will be issued through a transparent handling fee, proportionate to the value of the work done. The detail will be set out in affirmative secondary legislation.

Transparency reforms within the Bill will require the placer of insurance to disclose information about their decision-making process when purchasing buildings insurance on behalf of leaseholders. These measures will support responsible, transparent, and accountable sourcing of buildings insurance for leaseholders of multi-occupancy buildings.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an estimate of the average value of residential properties with remaining leases of (a) 80 to 71, (b) 70 to 61, (c) 60 to 51, (d) 50 to 41, (e) 40 to 31, (f) 30 to 21, (g) 20 to 11 years and (h) 10 or fewer years.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill can be found here. This includes an estimate of the impact of removing marriage value.

The impact assessment also contains information on estimates of the aggregate number of leases below 80 years.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of abolishing marriage value under schedule two of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on the transfer of wealth overseas by freeholders.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill can be found here. This includes an estimate of the impact of removing marriage value.

The impact assessment also contains information on estimates of the aggregate number of leases below 80 years.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of abolishing marriage value under schedule two of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on the finances of freeholders.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

The impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill can be found here. This includes an estimate of the impact of removing marriage value.

The impact assessment also contains information on estimates of the aggregate number of leases below 80 years.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of the abolition of marriage value under schedule two of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on tax revenues derived from the enfranchisement of leasehold properties.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Leasehold and Freehold reform bill will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold.

An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The Treasury has not made an estimate of the impact of this specific policy change on tax revenues. Transactions involving lease extensions and collective enfranchisement are just certain elements of total revenue, which is influenced by a broad range of factors including, for property taxes, the broader housing market. The Treasury keeps all tax policy under review.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to legal advice given to the Law Commission in December 2019, whether his Department has received any recent advice on the compatability of the marriage value element of leasehold enfranchisement with Article 1 of the First Protocol (A1P1) to the ECHR.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Our reforms seek to make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill as introduced on 27 November 2023 is considered compatible with the ECHR, as the section 19 statement on compatibility with Convention rights has been signed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to businesses of proposals to abolish the marriage value element of leasehold enfranchisement; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of those proposals on non-UK leaseholders.

Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)

Our reforms seek to make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill as introduced on 27 November 2023 is considered compatible with the ECHR, as the section 19 statement on compatibility with Convention rights has been signed.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure freeholders are held to account for essential services provided to leaseholders.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will ensure that leaseholders receive minimum key financial and non-financial information on a regular basis including through a standardised service charge demand form and an annual report. This will help them scrutinise and more effectively challenge their landlord if they consider their fees are unreasonable.

By law service charges must be reasonable and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill also improves redress for leaseholders who do not receive acceptable services.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to set the deferment rate in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to 5 per cent or greater.

Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)

Our reforms will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The rates used in enfranchisement valuation calculations will be prescribed by the Secretary of State and the Government is giving further consideration to how these rates should be reached.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is A1P1 ECHR compliant as introduced on 27 November 2023.

We are going to launch an online calculator which will help leaseholders understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce an online calculator for the cost of lease extensions under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)

Our reforms will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The rates used in enfranchisement valuation calculations will be prescribed by the Secretary of State and the Government is giving further consideration to how these rates should be reached.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is A1P1 ECHR compliant as introduced on 27 November 2023.

We are going to launch an online calculator which will help leaseholders understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether leasehold reform breaches the human rights of freeholders as property owners.

Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)

Our reforms will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The rates used in enfranchisement valuation calculations will be prescribed by the Secretary of State and the Government is giving further consideration to how these rates should be reached.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is A1P1 ECHR compliant as introduced on 27 November 2023.

We are going to launch an online calculator which will help leaseholders understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will specify (1) the deferment rate, and (2) the rate for discounting future ground rent schemes, in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)

Our reforms will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The rates used in enfranchisement valuation calculations will be prescribed by the Secretary of State and the Government is giving further consideration to how these rates should be reached.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is A1P1 ECHR compliant as introduced on 27 November 2023.

We are going to launch an online calculator which will help leaseholders understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on the cost and speed of extending leaseholds.

Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)

Our reforms will make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase their freehold. An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill has been carried out and published on the Parliament website at: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.

The rates used in enfranchisement valuation calculations will be prescribed by the Secretary of State and the Government is giving further consideration to how these rates should be reached.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill is A1P1 ECHR compliant as introduced on 27 November 2023.

We are going to launch an online calculator which will help leaseholders understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

Found: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill: HL Bill 50 of 2023–24

Found: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill 2023-24: Progress of the Bill

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill does not liberate leaseholders currently living in flats from what we see as a feudal type of ownership.

Found: The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill does not liberate leaseholders currently living in flats from

Found: Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee HL Paper 106 19th Report of Session 2023–24 Leasehold

Found: Minister for Housing, Lee Rowley MP said: “We are delivering significant reforms through the Leasehold

Found: Minister for Housing, Lee Rowley MP said: “We are delivering significant reforms through the Leasehold

Found: As part of the CMA’s work in the sector, it has responded to government’s consultation on the Leasehold

Found: and Freehold Reform Bill (Amendment Paper), NC4. 282 Clause 45 Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

Found: and Freehold Reform Bill, we consider that these r egimes do not go far enough to redress the power

Found: The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will require service charges to be more transparent.