Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Darren Paffey Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

I must say, without getting into the detail of the circumstances of the hon. Lady’s constituents, it is hard to know which of the measures will benefit them most. If they are subject to high ground rent charges, the cap on introduction will benefit them hugely on its introduction. If they have suffered from the threat of forfeiture, which is a draconian and disproportionate means of enforcing lease terms, they will benefit in myriad ways from the legislation.

[Darren Paffey (Southampton Itchen) (Lab)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his statement and thank him for it. Like thousands of long-suffering leaseholders across Southampton Itchen, I warmly welcome this announcement. Residents of the Sapphire Court development have already been paying ground rent that is higher than the cap, and there is a plan to double it, but thanks to the action of this Labour Government that will not happen. How soon will Southampton’s leaseholders will get the rights, protections and securities that they have been waiting a long time for and that they deserve?

[Matthew Pennycook]

As I have said, it is the Government’s intention to ensure that the draft Bill, and the final product that eventually comes forward after scrutiny by the Select Committee, is made law as soon as possible so that leaseholders can benefit from the new provisions. In general terms, no one will pay more than the ground rent cap that we are introducing, but millions of people will pay less. Approximately 770,000 to 900,000 leaseholders with ground rents over £250 will see savings in this Parliament, and others will see savings in greater amounts in Parliaments to come.