Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the oral contribution of 27 February 2024 by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety, Official Report, column 237, which party the asbestos duty holder will be following enfranchisement.

When enfranchisement happens a new dutyholder takes over the ‘duty to manage’ under Regulation 4 the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for the communal areas. Further to regulation 4(1), the new dutyholder will be whoever is responsible for the communal areas as a result of the terms of the enfranchisement.

I have asked departmental officials to contact the Rt Hon Gentleman to discuss the issue he has raised in further detail.