Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating more supported living accommodation for autistic adults.
Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government recognises the important role played by supported housing in helping disabled, older and other vulnerable people to live safely, well and independently, including autistic adults. The 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme includes delivery of supported housing. Through the Spending Review announced on 11 June, we are providing the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, confirming £39 billion for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36. We are also announcing a 10-year social housing rent settlement from 2026 at Consumer Price Index + 1%, alongside a consultation to follow shortly on how to implement social rent convergence.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to review the 10% commission fee on the sale of park homes.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44299 on 16 April 2025.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to prevent freeholders holding leaseholders liable for outstanding service charges incurred by the previous leaseholder.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The seller of a leasehold property is legally responsible for service charges owed up until the completion of the sale to the next leaseholder. A freeholder cannot require a leaseholder to pay charges owed by the previous leaseholder if the new leaseholder has not agreed this as part of the sale contract. The government would expect the incoming leaseholder’s solicitors to act in their client’s best interests in advising them and negotiating the terms of the sale contract.
If a landlord tries to claim that a leaseholder is liable for charges for which they are not liable, we recommend that the leaseholder seeks independent legal advice on how to proceed. Free initial advice is available from the government’s Leasehold Advisory Service. The landlord may be able to take action against the previous leaseholder regarding their failure to pay service charges due for the previous leaseholder’s period of ownership.
The government believes that all liabilities and ongoing financial responsibilities should be made clear to potential purchasers of leasehold properties, prior to purchase.
The landlord should provide relevant information, including on any ongoing or planned service charges, and specify how regularly these charges will be reassessed or increased, during purchase of the property. This is most often set out in a Leasehold Property Enquiry form 1 (LPE1) enquiry form. Prospective buyers and their legal representative are advised to check this information carefully and take it into account when negotiating the purchase price of the property.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce legislative measures to require sellers to (a) disclose to prospective homebuyers whether a property is supplied by a private water network and (b) outline the financial risks associated with this arrangement.
Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Providing essential information upfront is important in supporting potential buyers to make important decisions about whether a property is suitable for them early in the process.
There is already a requirement under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 that any property information that would help a prospective homebuyer to make an informed decision is not hidden or omitted. On 9 February, we announced action to improve the availability of property information. Improving access to key home buying and selling data will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time.
We continue to work with stakeholders across industry, government and the public sector to understand the most effective way of supporting buyers to make the right decisions.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 101 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether she plans to postpone local authority elections in Kent in 2025.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I will consider any requests I receive to postpone the May 2025 local authority elections in Kent and Warwickshire only where this will help the areas to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe – either through the Devolution Priority Programme or where reorganisation is necessary to unlock devolution or open up new devolution options. As I set out in my letter of 16 December to those councils, I will need a clear commitment to these aims, including a request from the council(s) whose election is to be postponed, on or before Friday 10 January.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 4498 on Unitary Councils: Kent, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of splitting Kent County Council into a number of smaller unitary authorities.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The upcoming English Devolution White Paper will set out more detail on the government’s reorganisation plans, including on working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas, with efficiency savings from council reorganisation helping to meet the needs of local people.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she has taken to rejuvenate town centres.
Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We are committed to supporting the businesses and communities that make our high streets flourish.
We are funding new partnership models with High Street Accelerators, implementing High Street Rental Auctions, and introducing a strong new ‘right to buy’ for community assets, to empower local communities to rejuvenate our high streets and address the blight of vacant premises.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department has obtained to inform a potential future decision on whether to break Kent County Council into a small number of unitary authorities.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The department has not obtained such information.