Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Kieran Mullan Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

All manner of provisions in the draft Bill that we are discussing are absolutely about rebalancing leasehold and freehold interests. To take the example of forfeiture, freeholders have often been in an unassailable position of strength vis-à-vis leaseholders. That is what we are trying to address by introducing the Bill. I thank my hon. Friend for her support.

[Dr Kieran Mullan (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

I hesitate to add to the Minister’s in-tray, but he will know that we have existing protections of some sort for leaseholders and freeholders, as right as he is to want to go further. Residents in the Cooden area of my constituency have been sent letters by a company called Asset Invest Ltd demanding thousands of pounds, which it says is to regularise covenant breaches. That, to me, seems unjustified and has some of the hallmarks of the unregulated charges that leaseholders have faced in the past. This is probably an issue that affects MPs across the House. Will the Minister be so kind as to meet me to explore how we might address this issue as well?

[Matthew Pennycook]

I will happily meet the hon. Gentleman. As I have said, it is our intention as a Government to end the unjust and discriminatory practices from which leaseholders suffer. As I hope I have made clear, over the course of the Parliament we intend to end—finally, once and for all—this iniquitous system. That will take some time; it cannot happen overnight, but that is our intent. Leaseholders across the country, including those in his constituency and mine, will benefit from that.