Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Luke Myer Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

Hopefully the hon. Gentleman heard my answer to a previous question. We intend to switch on the 2024 Act provisions that standardise service charges and increase transparency around them, so that people can more easily challenge unreasonable charges at tribunal. I will not put a time on that, because I do not have an exact date in mind, but I can assure him and other Members across the House that we are working as fast as possible to bring forward the necessary protections to ensure that leaseholders are protected from high and rising service charges.

[Luke Myer (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)]

I have heard from so many residents across Marton, Guisborough, Skelton, Hemlington Hall and elsewhere about issues with leasehold and fleecehold, so what message does the Minister have for my constituents that he will tackle both of those issues and protect my residents from unfair service charges?

[Matthew Pennycook]

As I have made clear, there are measures in this draft Bill that will provide enhanced protections for residential freeholders on freehold estates, but we are taking other action, and I refer him—as I have other hon. Members—to the two comprehensive consultations we launched before Christmas, one of which deals exclusively with switching on the consumer protections for those people living on freehold estates.