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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to include existing leaseholders in its analysis of the consultation on implementing reforms to the leasehold system.

This Government is committed to tackling excessive and unjustifiable practices in the leasehold sector, making home ownership fairer for all. The technical consultation which closed on 26 November sets out how the Government intends to reform the system. The consultation document details proposals for banning leasehold houses and restricting ground rents in the future.

The Government is also clear that existing unfair lease terms have no place in the housing market. It is right that developers who sold leaseholds with onerous terms should support their customers to amend such lease terms. Some developers have introduced assistance schemes which is welcome. The Government is engaging with industry to urge them to take proactive steps to vary leases for those with onerous ground rent clauses.

We are further helping existing leaseholders by:

• Working with the Law Commission to make buying a freehold or extending a lease easier, quicker and cheaper;
• Making it easier for leaseholders to form Recognised Tenants' Associations so they can hold the management of their block to account;
• Setting up a Working Group, chaired by Lord Best, to look at how property agents can be improved, including a single, mandatory Code of Practice for managing agents and whether any fees should be capped or banned;
• Publishing a 'How to Lease' guide for consumers.