Leasehold reform examined by Committee

10 December 2018

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee takes evidence from social sector landlords, solicitor representatives and the Leasehold Advisory Service.

Purpose of the session

The first session with the National Housing Federation and representatives of Manchester and Brighton Councils, will explore current criticisms of the leasehold system, including the quality of management of leaseholds overseen by social housing providers.

In the second session, the Committee will question the Leasehold Advisory Service on the quality of support they provide, particularly to individuals who claim they have been mis-sold properties or subject to onerous ground rents.

The final session, will explore the role of solicitors in leasehold disputes and include representatives of the Conveyancing Association and the Law Society for England and Wales. It will examine how solicitors maintain their independence, especially in circumstances were they are reliant on repeat business from developers or cases where buyers receive discounts or rewards for using a preferred solicitor. The Committee will also look at the failures to highlight high ground rent to buyers and high costs charged for routine lease administration.

Witnesses

Monday 10 December 2018, Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

From 4pm

Panel 1 (Local Authorities and the Social Housing Sector)

Larissa Reed, Executive Director for Neighbourhoods Communities & Housing, Brighton and Hove City Council
Gillian Boyle, Strategic Development Directorate, Manchester City Council
Amy Simmons, Head of Policy, National Housing Federation

Panel 2 (Leasehold Advisory Service)

Anthony Essien, Chief Executive, Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE)

Panel 3 (Solicitor representatives)

Jonathan Smithers, former President of the Law Society of England & Wales, Law Society of England and Wales
Beth Rudolph, Director of Delivery, Conveyancing Association

Further information

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