Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to advise homebuyers of the potential risks of buying leasehold properties; and if he will make a statement.

The Government’s consultation, Tackling Unfair Practices in the Leasehold Market, considered a number of issues within the leasehold sector including the sale of new built leasehold houses, and onerous ground rents. The consultation also sought views on what further areas of leasehold reform should be prioritised and why. The public consultation, which closed on 19 September, received around 6,000 replies. We are carefully analysing the responses, and will issue the Government response in due course.

On the 22 October, the Government launched a call for evidence to improve the homebuying and selling process, in order to make it cheaper, faster and less stressful. This will seek views on how to better enable consumers to make an informed choice around the type of property bought and its tenure.