Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting freeholders from seeking financial redress for breaches of leasehold covenants that occurred prior to their acquisition of the freehold.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service.
Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team.
Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options.
I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here.
We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.
Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce legislative measures to prevent freeholders from demanding disproportionate payments from leaseholders for historic breaches of leasehold covenants.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service.
Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team.
Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options.
I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here.
We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.
Asked by: Olivia Blake (Labour - Sheffield Hallam)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will include provisions to grant leaseholders of houses the same Right of First Refusal as leaseholders of flats.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service.
Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team.
Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options.
I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here.
We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his Department's timetable is for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act (2025).
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government intends to set out detailed implementation plans for the Renters’ Rights Act in the near future.
As part of those plans, we will support all stakeholders through detailed guidance and communications.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of housing-related advice services in Bristol.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78811 on 15 October 2025.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) schools on promoting careers in the fire and rescue service in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Fire and rescue recruitment in England is managed by individual Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs). Each local service is responsible for its own recruitment processes, policies, and workforce planning, which are typically overseen by their HR or People Services teams.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service run engagement events across the county, not just in schools but for school-age groups and the wider community. These events combine fire prevention advice with information on careers in the Fire Service, ensuring a joined-up approach.
Asked by: Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat - Maidenhead)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that freeholders of leasehold properties comply with their legal obligations to maintain asbestos management plans; and what penalties apply to freeholders who fail to provide leaseholders with access to such plans when requested.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published information to help landlords understand their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for the common parts of multi-occupancy domestic premises (such as foyers and corridors, lifts and lift-shafts and staircases etc). and what they are required to do to comply here: The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Check if you have the duty to manage asbestos - HSE and here: Managing and working with asbestos - HSE. Those that are in breach would be subject to the normal range of penalties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Leaseholders can contact the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) for specific guidance on their situation and potential courses of action.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
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 28 October 2025 to Question 83343 on Elections: Pilot Schemes, whether political parties were consulted on the plans for election pilots; and what publicity has been undertaken to promote the scheme other than issuing the prospectus.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors.
In addition to the prospectus, further communications on flexible voting pilots were issued to support ongoing local authority sector engagement.
We are working with individual local authorities to shape the detail of their flexible voting pilots. We will continue to work with key stakeholders and local authorities throughout the development and delivery process.
Where communications are shared with the public, our intention is for them to be tailored to the specific piloting option and the geographic area in which it is being delivered.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has consulted the (a) Conservative Party and (b) Labour Party on proposed changes to (i) electoral and (ii) political finance law since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The political finance and wider electoral measures set out in the Government’s Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections paper are building on long-standing, well-established recommendations from expert stakeholders across the electoral landscape.
In developing our measures, we have worked closely with key stakeholders. Following the publication of the Elections Strategy paper, we have engaged with a variety of stakeholders including the Parliamentary Parties Panel. We are keen to continue this important engagement with all stakeholders, including political parties, as we progress this work.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Catering facilities across the property portfolio are managed and operated by either Government Property Agency, landlords and/or their respective contractors, who supply all necessary tableware and crockery.
The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.
The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.
The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.
Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.