Having heard heart-breaking stories from a number of resident groups in Southampton, I have joined a group of MPs working together to stand up for leaseholders.
As part of this work, I have signed a joint letter to property management company RMG demanding better for residents. Sadly, too many leaseholders and renters continue to face substandard living conditions, all while paying sky-high service fees for work that either doesn’t get completed or is poorly done.
I have been holding landlords and property management companies accountable for constituents, and I will keep pushing for change. From calling out bad landlords and freeholders in Parliament and achieving rent freezes for Compass Point in Redbridge, to holding Abri to account and securing an action plan for residents in Portswood, I’m fighting hard on this issue.
With changes to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, I am pleased that the Labour Government is to give leaseholders more rights, including:
- Making it easier for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease without waiting two years from purchase.
- Homeowners will be able to take over management of their building, get more transparency on costs, and challenge unfair service charges.
Additionally, the government is working on a Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, with measures to tackle unregulated ground rents and strengthen leaseholder rights planned. Labour have also committed to ending the feudal leasehold system once and for all.
If you’re a leaseholder currently struggling with your property management company please do get in contact.