Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Lewell-Buck Excerpts

Monday 10th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

17. What steps he is taking to protect leaseholders from nuisance legal actions initiated by their landlords.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

Existing legislation already provides leaseholders with rights and protections. Furthermore, the Government fund the Leasehold Advisory Service to give free advice to leaseholders who face a dispute with their landlord.

[Mrs Lewell-Buck]

I thank the Minister for his response, but not enough is being done. My constituent Emma Stewart is being pursued by her landlord over a leasehold dispute. A tribunal decision found that Ms Stewart had made every effort to comply with the terms of her lease, and that her landlord had not been disadvantaged in any way, yet they continue to demand payment from her. That is a clear case of nuisance action and has cost Ms Stewart the sale of her home. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the situation and say what on earth can be done?

[Brandon Lewis]

I wrote to the hon. Lady about this issue a couple of weeks ago, but I am happy to meet her if that letter did not cover everything she needs.