Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Abtisam Mohamed Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

We have given serious consideration to how we will take forward Lord Best’s recommendations from his 2019 report and, as I have made clear, we are taking some of them forward already. This Bill introduces reform in a number of specific areas and, as I have said in response to previous questions, it does not need to do everything. There are other pieces of legislation, not least the 2024 Act, that do lots of the work that hon. Members are calling for, but we want to ensure that the whole agenda is a comprehensive one that benefits leaseholders in the way that the hon. Lady and I both want.

[Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

I pay tribute to the Minister’s work, which I know will bring real relief to many of my constituents. However, leaseholders in the Riverside Exchange development are being blocked from securing their right to manage because of absentee leaseholders. This has left them trapped with eye-watering service charges, which have increased from £1,900 to £5,500. Can the Minister set out how the upcoming legislation will reform and reduce the minimum qualifying threshold for the right to manage, which is currently set at 50%?

[Matthew Pennycook]

My hon. Friend will be aware that there were very few provisions relating to the right to manage in the 2024 Act. We are committed to enacting the remaining Law Commission recommendations relating not only to the right to manage but to leasehold enfranchisement. I am more than happy to write to her to try to get at the specific issues she raises in relation to the building in her constituency.