Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Carla Denyer Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

I agree with my hon. Friend. She, like me, will have constituents who are subject to high, unfair ground rent charges and, in some cases, to escalating ground rent charges, particularly those that are inflation-linked. People across the country see those ground rent charges stack up to significant amounts and they will benefit from the cap once it is implemented. We estimate that the cap on ground rents will take approximately 12 months to introduce after Royal Assent, but that is all subject to parliamentary timings. If, as in the past, there is cross-party support on this issue, we can all work together to ensure that the Bill makes speedy progress.

[Carla Denyer (Bristol Central) (Green)]

Leaseholders in Bristol Central are being ripped off. I am disappointed that the Minister and the Government will not enforce peppercorn ground rents immediately, although a £250 cap is an improvement and the movement towards commonhold is really welcome. However, there are big problems for leaseholders that are still unaddressed. Will the Minister please commit to tackling the soaring insurance premiums that have left homes unmortgageable and leaseholders trapped, unable to sell and move in the wake of the cladding scandal?

[Matthew Pennycook]

I detected an unusual amount of support in that question from the hon. Lady, which I welcome. On the specific issue of insurance charges, again, there was a consultation on switching on some of the provisions in the 2024 Act that relate to insurance commissions. I am more than happy to write to her to set out further detail, but we need to bring those into force and it remains our commitment to do so at the earliest opportunity.