Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Duchy of Cornwall as a property developer in connection with their Public Pledge for Leaseholders, published on 28 March; whether the Duchy of Cornwall is a signatory to that pledge; and if not, what assessment they have made of the reasons why not.
The Government wants to make sure that all leaseholders whose leases contain onerous terms, such as doubling ground rents, get the support they need.
The new government-backed industry pledge announced on 28 March has been signed by more than forty leading property developers and freeholders.
This is a positive start and the Government encourages developers and freeholders to sign the pledge and any organisation not currently signed up can do so by contacting the Ministry. The Duchy of Cornwall has not specifically been approached.
In addition, the Law Commission has recently consulted on proposals to help leaseholders to extend their leases or buy their freehold, seeking to understand the experience for leaseholders on Crown land, including the Duchy of Cornwall. The Law Commission will report later in the year.