Oral Answers to Questions

Sam Carling Excerpts

Monday 14th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Bonavia (Stevenage) (Lab)]

8. What steps she is taking to reform the leasehold system.

[Sam Carling (North West Cambridgeshire) (Lab)]

11. What steps she is taking to reform the leasehold system.

[Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)]

21. What steps she is taking to reform the leasehold system.

--- Later in debate ---

[Angela Rayner]

I am very sorry to hear about Ed’s situation. The Building Safety Act 2022 protects qualifying leaseholders from uncapped costs relating to non-cladding remediation. When remediation is not progressing, leaseholders can apply to the tribunal for remediation orders, which can compel relevant landlords to fix relevant defects in their buildings, as well as for remediation contribution orders, which require developers to pay towards the costs of the remediation.

[Sam Carling]

At Fletton Quays in my constituency, managed by Gateway Properties, leasehold residents are reporting that service charges have increased by as much as 150% in the last two years. Flats are under warranty and faults should be fixed by Western Homes, which built the property, but instead are being fixed by Gateway, which has increased the service charge and, I understand, has even been sending separate bills on top. I know that the Government have been keen to address issues relating to high service charges and the need for financial transparency for leaseholders; can the Secretary of State provide an update on that work?

[Angela Rayner]

Unjustified service charges are wholly unacceptable, and I strongly recommend that the homeowners obtain legal advice. The Leasehold Advisory Service, for instance, gives free legal advice to leaseholders. Developers are typically responsible for rectifying defects within the first two years of the warranty period; even if no warranty claim is made, developers are still liable, and should not pass charges on to leaseholders. Unreasonable service charges may be challenged at the first-tier tribunal.