Contributions
541 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)I have one more question if there is time.18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Okay. In terms of the Bill setting out regulation for property managers, we heard from the Competition and Markets Authority earlier, and it has found significant areas of…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)On that basis, I am also a Member of the all-party parliamentary group.18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Thank you very much for your written submission to us. You say in there: “The RFA has serious concerns that the Government’s proposals to cap ground rent will lead to…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Or they were not told at all. That seems to be more the problem: people were not told at all. George Lusty: Yes. Simon Jones: May I add to George’s observation? One thing that we…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Could you expand on that? James Vitali: Of course. There are a couple of things in particular. One has been raised already by Mr Gardiner in the evidence sessions and concerns…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Q Can I just stick with you for a second, Bob? I will come back to you in a second, Paula. From your perspective as the chair of the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations,…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q That is very helpful. Thank you very much. Do you have any views on the requirements for regulation of building managers? Giles Grover: I have a lot of views on that area. Part…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q I am very conscious that you are a different type of witness to the others we have been hearing from today and we are talking about the cladding scandal. It is very helpful to…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Do you think a voluntary code is sufficient? Jack Spearman: Sorry, this is back in 2018 and 2019, when we were trying to get the Government to engage and we thought that the…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Q Just so I understand, you do not object to leasehold continuing, but what is your view on new leasehold? Bob Smytherman: I think all new developments should be commonhold. It is…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q We heard evidence today and on Tuesday of what appears to be quite widespread mis-selling, particularly in this sector. I know that you spent time in my constituency looking at…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Is this not the right thing to do? When you look at the practice that has been going on and the evidence that is there—the mis-selling and appalling behaviour— Jack Spearman: I…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Q That leads me on to the regulation of managing agents and the property sector. Is that an area that your members have any views on? Is it something that you would welcome? Paul…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Thank you; that is much appreciated.18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Bob, is there anything you want to say on that? Bob Smytherman: I would just completely echo that. For us as an organisation, in 2002 we were really hoping that the Government…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q Thank you, Dame Caroline. Simon, the CMA carried out a two-year investigation into mis-selling. Are you satisfied that the Bill contains sufficient provision to address…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Third sitting)Q I just want to be clear: from a consumer perspective, if somebody is buying a leasehold property, are your members telling them, “This is a mortgage for a leasehold property,”…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)So your solution is to deal with houses and flats. James Vitali: It seems to me that commonhold is broadly out of the scope of the Bill now. It would be my gentle encouragement…18 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Fourth sitting)Q I note that you use the term, when we are talking about capping rents, that it will send “a very damaging signal” to investors. Is that still your opinion—that investors are…18 Jan 2024