Conservative MP Bob Blackman has been one of the most bullish MPs on the Communities Select Committee speaking in favour of meaningful leasehold reform … not falling for lobbying initiatives of the ground rent sector for codes of practice, pledges and other window dressing
Commons debate, July 11 2019
Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for Harrow West, claims the government is prevaricating over leasehold reform.
It notes what the Communities Select Committee, of which Mr Blackman is a member, has unearthed but “there has been no commitment to actrion”.
“The Government are leaning on the fact that the Law Commission and the CMA are doing reports but, in their response to our report, they have made no commitment to implement whatever recommendations they make, and I hope we will get to that position.”
Mr Blackman claimed that the government seem to be “driving the view that voluntary action is sufficient”.
“After looking through all the evidence and hearing everyone who has come before us, my view is that voluntary action is not acceptable: we have to legislate and force developers to do the right thing, otherwise they will not …
“After looking through all the evidence and hearing everyone who has come before us, my view is that voluntary action is not acceptable: we have to legislate and force developers to do the right thing, otherwise they will not.”
Jason Honeyman, CEO Bellway, in car crash at Communities Select Committee on November 19 2018 Bob Blackman MP: ‘You are selling the freehold out from under them [Bellway customers] without their knowledge.” Jason Honeyman: “Yes, we are.”
Don’t trust developers to put right the wrongs that they created, Clive Betts tells government
Tory MP Eddie Hughes moves private member’s bill to cap existing ground rents at £250
John Healey blasts the government over lack of support for existing leaseholders as Tory backbench unease grows
‘The time is right for commonhold,’ announces Law Commission. (Pity the government doesn’t agree …)
Views of Tory MP Crispin Blunt: Government should ‘nullify’ ground rents. End ‘feudal’ leasehold. Bring in commonhold. And stop developers’ and solicitors’ ‘unconscionable’ cheating of the naïve
Time to ban Redrow in Liverpool, asks leasehold victim Rosie Cooper MP – who also names stooge solicitors Bannister Preston
He is right of course.
Those of us who have reported fraud numerous times, going back years, also know full well that the CMA will do NOTHING about it.
Let us hope they will prove me wrong.