Business of the House

Jeevun Sandher Excerpts

Thursday 10th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As a former Drugs Minister, I understand the complexity of this matter and the frustration involved, too. I will raise it with both the Home Office, which has responsibility for it, and the FCDO to see whether we can get clarity on the situation.

[Dr Jeevun Sandher (Loughborough) (Lab)]

Residents in Gardner Way in my constituency are stuck. They are subject to an Act from 1925 and a rent charge that makes it incredibly difficult for them to sell their homes, because if they miss a payment, their home could be repossessed. Most owners with those rent charges allow a simple change in the deed. I have every faith that this one will as well, and we are planning legislation in this area. I ask the Leader of the House to encourage the owner to allow a simple change to the deeds and to confirm that we still have legislation planned to change this horrible practice.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I hope the owner has heard my hon. Friend’s comments. As a Government, we are committed to banning the use of draconian and outdated remedies for non-payment of rent charges through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which we published in draft in January and will be introducing. I will ensure that my hon. Friend has a meeting with the Minister for Housing and Planning so that he can hear more about the progress that we intend to make.