Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Charlie Dewhirst Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

We are absolutely committed to strengthening regulation of managing agents. Some proposals on charges were set out in the consultation on protections for leaseholders, which we released last summer, but there is more to come.

[Charlie Dewhirst (Bridlington and The Wolds) (Con)]

Hundreds of thousands of freeholders up and down the country who are locked in financial arrangements with unaccountable estate management firms will be very frustrated by this statement, because it focuses solely on leasehold. Will the Minister very clearly set out the next steps to tackle this enormous travesty, which involves fleecehold and estate management companies?

[Matthew Pennycook]

I must correct the hon. Gentleman: it does not solely deal with leasehold, as I made clear in the statement. The draft Bill will repeal sections 121 and 122 of the Law of Property Act 1925, ending the disproportionate remedies that give rent charge owners access to a draconian enforcement regime on freehold estates. As I have said, we are doing more, through the two consultations launched before Christmas in particular, to give new consumer protections to those living on freehold estates. I hope the hon. Gentleman will take part in and respond to that consultation.