Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Olivia Blake Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. It would be helpful if Members asked very short questions so that I can get them all in.

[Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam) (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for his statement; the measures will radically improve the system. He will be aware that over 170,000 houses in my constituency have had their freeholds purchased by Andrew Milne, who is now demanding that residents pay sums sometimes exceeding £25,000 to buy out the freeholds, and is threatening forfeiture and High Court action if they do not pay up. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to ending forfeiture, but will he set out what additional steps that Government are taking to regulate rogue freeholders?

[Matthew Pennycook]

I will be careful in what I say in respect of that particular case, but a meeting with my hon. Friend and other Sheffield MPs was postponed because this legislation was being brought forward. I will ensure that that meeting goes back in the diary as soon as possible.