Former Housing Secretary tells MPs that the lack of oversight in the sector is “a real problem” for leaseholders.
6th Mar 20260 873 1 minute read Simon Cairnes
Angela Rayner has urged ministers to regulate leasehold managing agents, warning MPs that the current lack of oversight is leaving leaseholders exposed to unfair charges.
Speaking to MPs on the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, the former Housing Secretary said proposals to regulate managing agents first recommended by Lord Best in 2019 should now be taken forward.
She told MPs the absence of regulation was “a real problem” and said the Government should “go further and harder” by introducing an independent regulator for the sector.
Rayner added that many leaseholders feel they are being unfairly treated by service charges over which they have little control.
We’ve got a choice between the vested interests or the people that feel like they’re being shafted.”
“In the most binary way, we’ve got a choice between the vested interests or the people that feel like they’re being shafted,” she said. “I’m with the people that are saying — and I absolutely agree — that we’re being ripped off and that has to end.”
Her comments come as MPs scrutinise the Government’s draft leasehold reform legislation, which includes plans to cap ground rents at £250 a year and ban the sale of new leasehold flats.
Bill falls shortThe draft bill, however, does not include specific provisions to regulate managing agents or directly address service charge practices.
According to Rayner, the existing measures in the 2024 Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act could help improve transparency, but need to be implemented quickly.
“I think there’s fixes within the 2024 Act which will help with service charges,” she told MPs, adding that proposals to regulate managing agents “need to be taken forward”.
TagsAngela Rayner Leasehold Reform 6th Mar 20260 873 1 minute read Simon Cairnes Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email
