Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what plans he has to bring forward the leasehold reforms proposed by his Department in 2017; and for what reason a leasehold reform bill was not included in the Queen's speech.

The Government remains committed to creating a fair and just housing system that works for everyone. We have made great strides with the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022. From 30 June this year anyone buying a home on a new residential long lease will not be subjected to the annual costs of ground rent. This Act is the first part of major two-part legislation this parliament to implement leasehold and commonhold reforms.

In addition to the Ground Rent Act, thousands of existing leaseholders have also already seen a reduction in their inflated ground rent costs. The Competition and Markets Authority secured commitments from major homebuilders to remove lease terms that led to doubling ground rents, and where houses were sold as leasehold, to support leaseholders to buy the freehold at the original price quoted.

The government is committed to a comprehensive programme of reform to end unfair practices in the leasehold market. This is a long-term reform programme; it is complex, and it is important to get the detail right. As these reforms will be felt for generations, we are determined this work considers all the implications with care.