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Simon Hughes welcomed the broad support across parties for his private members' leasehold reform Bill which started its second reading debate on 22nd February 2008. In the forty-one minutes remaining after earlier business was completed, Mr Hughes introduced his Bill, received support for its progress from the Conservative frontbench, and supportive contributions from colleagues in all three main political parties. Sadly time ran out so that the second reading debate could not be concluded today. The Bill will come back to the House of Commons on Friday June 13th.

Leasehold Reform

The Leasehold Reform Bill, piloted by Simon Hughes and co-sponsored by 11 other MPs, looks set to start serious progress through the Commons today, with cross-party political support. Mr Hughes' Bill is the Second Bill listed for debate today (22nd February). Andrew Miller's Temporary and Agency Workers Bill, the only Bill ahead of Mr Hughes' Bill, is expected to complete its second reading in time to allow the Leasehold Reform Bill to start and possibly complete its Second Reading this afternoon.

The Leasehold Reform Bill, which is aimed at giving greater rights to people who live in leasehold properties bought from local councils in England and Wales, would make a number of much needed improvements which would benefit hundreds of thousands of leaseholders across the country.

The main proposals in the Leasehold Reform Bill are to:

make sure leaseholders can only be hit for £250 a month for service charges

set up a system for councils to buy back a percentage of the property where the residential leaseholder needs help to meet costs and service charges

allow all leaseholders to set up an individual sinking fund with their council to help finance capital works

give leaseholders the chance to have their plans for works implemented when at least a quarter propose a plan which then gains majority support

give leaseholders and councils the option of resolving disputes through local arbitration rather than nationally

In the London Borough of Southwark alone, which includes Mr Hughes' North Southwark & Bermondsey constituency, this Bill would potentially affect over 13,000 households*.

Simon Hughes said:

'Since Mrs Thatcher introduced the Right to Buy in the early eighties, tens of thousands of families have ended up as leaseholders of local councils up and down the land.

25 years later, council leaseholders are still struggling for a fair deal.

My Bill is a response to the continuing concerns of young and old houseowners alike who struggle to pay the Bills and feel they have too little say over their homes.

I hope the government will make a positive response to this serious attempt to produce a better deal for council leaseholders.'

*Notes:

London Borough of Southwark currently has sold over 1,300 freehold properties, over 13,000 leasehold properties and keeps over 41,000 tenanted properties.

Download a copy of the Bill

[Simon Hughes' Private Members' Bill on Leashold Reform]

Press Release on Simon's Private Members' Bill on Leasehold Reform

Announcing his Private Members Bill on Leasehold Reform, presented to the House of Commons, Simon Hughes MP said:

''For many years I have worked inside and outside parliament to improve the position of people who have bought their homes from local councils and other social landlords. There is still, in law, not enough control for these leaseholders over the management of their homes and the timing and amount of bills for capital works and other services. I have chosen to introduce this Bill to deal with some of these long running problems.

''My Bill will come forward for its second reading on 22nd February 2008 and full details of my proposals will be published in the new year. Any council leaseholder in Southwark who has specific ideas as to how the law should be changed is welcome to let me have their ideas by contacting me. I shall also be meeting leaseholder groups in Southwark early in the new year to hear their views and suggestions.

''This Bill is a great opportunity for a better deal for leaseholders. I shall seek maximum support to make 2008 a good year for leaseholders in Southwark, as well as in all other parts of the country''.