This Friday, 15 July, MP (York Central – Labour) Rachael Maskell will be holding an online public meeting for the residents of leasehold properties in York who are concerned about the Government’s failure to deliver leasehold reform.
It was hoped that the Queen’s Speech last month would deliver a number of leasehold reforms but this did not happen and 4.6 million leaseholders across the country find themselves in an impossible situation, as they try to cope with spiralling leasehold costs.
Ms Maskell told YorkMix Radio she has heard stories in York of people facing rising costs for either poor quality work or repairs and redecorating that they didn’t need or want.
Since 2017 the Government has repeatedly promised wide ranging leasehold reforms to address the unfairness of the current system and the Law Commission’s final recommendations were handed to the Government two years ago.
Since then, nothing has happened and many leaseholders have suffered significant financial losses as well as emotional distress.
The cost of living crisis is also contributing to leaseholders being overcharged.
Many of them are at the mercy of freeholder landlords and managing agents which make huge profits at the expense of poor and vulnerable people, says the MP.
A large proportion of these are elderly and living on their pensions.
Rachel Maskell MP says:
“Since I was first elected in 2015 my office has received a large number of complaints from people living in leasehold properties who have explained that they are paying huge sums of money in service charges and management fees.
“More often than not leaseholders are issued with hugely inflated bills which contain very little detail. Many people do not know where they will find the money to pay these bills and this is extremely stressful for them.
“I have met many groups of leaseholders and I have helped some of these to challenge the management companies. However, I know there are still a great many people out there who need help.
” Whilst I have visited a number of leasehold flats in York I feel it is now time to bring people together so I can make representations to the Government on their behalf. “
If you would like to attend Rachael Maskell’s online meeting please telephone 01904 623713 or email [email protected] for further details.
This is taking place this Friday, 15 July from 6pm