Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Debate between Matthew Pennycook and Barry Gardiner

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Pennycook]

We launched two comprehensive consultations before Christmas, in respect of how we switch on the consumer protections set out in the 2024 Act for those living on freehold estates and, more widely, on how we end the prevalence of private management arrangements of the kind that I think the hon. Member is referring to. The draft Bill does not have to do everything, but relief is on the way through the new consumer protections for those living on freehold estates who suffer from management companies levying unfair charges.

[Barry Gardiner (Brent West) (Lab)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on resisting the calls from those who have exploited leaseholders for far too long and on capping ground rent. I welcome the assurance that we are moving from the outdated feudal system of leasehold to a proper commonhold future to give the full rights of ownership to leaseholders, but my hon. Friend will know that those who have taken money for no service or for poor service will resist this with all their might. A loophole may still exist for enfranchisement when developers put up a new building with a proportion of commercial property in its base, so can my hon. Friend address that, specifically in order to stop them using such a loophole?

[Matthew Pennycook]

My hon. Friend and I both served on the Public Bill Committee when the Bill that is now the 2024 Act was going through the House, and we discussed many of these issues then; I can assure him that we have given consideration to all of them. He is right that we are now on a path to a commonhold future. As I have said, this is a radical improvement on leasehold home ownership. In general, while we will obviously ensure that leaseholders who wish to remain under leasehold ownership benefit from new rights and protections, it is the Government’s intention to try to persuade as many leaseholders as possible to convert to commonhold and to enjoy the benefits that it provides.

Building Homes

Debate between Matthew Pennycook and Barry Gardiner

Thursday 12th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

With an example of a short question, I call Barry Gardiner.

[Barry Gardiner (Brent West) (Lab)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Minister on his statement and, in particular, on the importance he places on the presumption in favour of sustainability and getting the design of developments right.

My hon. Friend is a champion for the natural world, and I am aware that he is sympathetic to the need to include biodiversity measures in all new builds, such as swift bricks, which are an essential nesting habitat for the survival and recovery of cavity-nesting birds. Will he provide this much-needed boost for a declining population that has sadly been placed on the critically endangered red list? Will he ensure that these simple requirements are not only in the NPPF but are translated into the national development management policies to ensure they have statutory weight?

[Matthew Pennycook]

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that we have added text to the NPPF to encourage the incorporation of features to protect threatened species, including swifts, but also bats and hedgehogs. We will consult on the NDMPs in the spring of next year.