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Housing Minister rules out leaseholders legislation to protect leaseholders
Housing Minister rules out leaseholders legislation to protect leaseholders
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has ruled out leaseholder legislation to protect leaseholders, despite a Channel 4 documentary revealing that local councils are profiting from repair deals.
George Curl Way,
Southampton,
United Kingdom
(sardnews.org)
01/10/2012
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has ruled out leaseholder legislation to protect leaseholders, despite a Channel 4 documentary revealing that local councils are profiting from repair deals.
The television programmeDispatches, revealed that leaseholders were being overcharged for repairs with local authorities profiting from this overcharging.
MrShapps believes that 'red tape' is not the answer to tackle this problem, saying that the majority of leaseholders were satisfied with the service they received from the freeholder and management agent. He believes that legislation will mean that increased costs will be passed on to all leaseholders, making it expensive to maintain their property.
The Dispatches programme, Property nightmare: The truth about leaseholds clamed that leaseholder service charges amount to two and a half billion pounds. On the same day that the programme was aired, the liberal think-tank CentreForum reported that there we urgent regulation required for leaseholders.
Leaseholder numbers are expected to rise with the government initiatives for right to buy and the housing strategy to increase the supply of homes.
An independent regulator would ensure that managing agents meet standards of professionalism, tackling problems of inflated charges and eradicating those companies who have service charge monopolies.
Currently the Welsh Government is considering whether to introduce leaseholder legislation as they share the same concerns raised in the programme. They are working with the Leasehold Advisory Service to gather evidence that reform is needed.
Bernie Wales runs BW Residential Property Consultancy Ltd and advises landlords and leaseholders on regulations and changes in the law. He says:
"Grant Shapps misses the point - and has no evidence that leaseholders arehappy with their freeholders. In fact, the main problem is not freeholdersbut the managing agents. There are many many leaseholders, who are unhappy with the service (or lack of service) provided by the managing agentresponsible for their block.
"Day after day I get calls and emails from leaseholders who can't get an answer, or are frustrated by broken promises, or annoyed by high service charges in return for poor service and lack of repair. There is a common theme and Grant Shapps is ignoring the obvious (probably because many of his pals are freeholders).
Those who are the 'good guys' in the world of property management have been calling for regulation for several years now. It is the only way to change
the management world for the better. Regulation will ensure that 'the rogue agents' are gradually put out of business - and that is what is needed -leaving the professional, responsible agents to improve the industry."
Notes to Editors
If you are unhappy about your residential block management and service charges, BW Residential Property Consultancy offers expert advice. To find out more about what to do if you are being overcharged click here. To find out more about BW Residential Property Consultancy and Gas Safety Week click here.
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About BW Residential Property Consultancy Ltd
If you are unhappy about your block management and or you feel that you have unreasonable service charges, BW Residential Property Consultancy offers expert advice and guidance and have helped many leaseholders get the service they deserve at a fair price. For more details please visit: http://www.leasehold-advice.co.uk/
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