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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to protect leaseholders in retirement villages from freeholders and managing agents who act in bad faith.

The government recognise that some specialist retirement housing providers have distinct operational and financing arrangements, and we value the important contribution that this sector makes to supporting older people.

We want to ensure providers can continue to operate effectively and with confidence.

As per the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 HLWS1278 (attached), we will consider through the scrutiny and consultation process whether particular arrangements may be appropriate for certain forms of specialist provision.

The government is committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in retirement homes, are protected from unfair and unreasonable practices.

There are currently two government-approved codes of practice in force in relation to the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing. These are the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Management Service Charge Code and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (AHRM) Code of Practice. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive, and what they should pay for. By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal. On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk (attached) here.

The government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.