Members of the House of Lords in London will discuss the key purpose of the UK Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill today.
The outcome of the UK leasehold reforms are important to Gibraltar, as laws here are closely aligned to that of the UK. There have long been pressure groups in Gibraltar looking to strengthen leaseholders rights, particularly around statutory extension rights and ground rents and the outcome of the UK reforms could add weight to these campaigns in Gibraltar.
The UK Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill aims to improve homeownership for leaseholders by ’empowering’ them and ‘improving their consumer rights’. It is the second part of the government’s legislative package to deliver on its commitments on leasehold reform.
During the second reading, members will discuss the main topics in the bill and draw attention to specific areas of concern where they think amendments (changes) will be needed.
Contributing members are expected to include:
Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative), former Minister for Housing
Lord Best (Crossbench), former chair of the Property Ombudsman
Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat), former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Lord Khan of Burnley (Labour), opposition spokespersons for Levelling-up, Housing and Communities.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will open the debate and respond on behalf of the government.
You will be able to watch the debate live on parliamentlive.tv/lords, via GibTel on BBC Parliament or read the Lords Hansard transcript (available from three hours after the debate).
At Richardsons we'll be keeping a close eye on proceedings in the UK to see what outcomes, if any, could be implemented here to improve the legal rights of local leaseholders, which equates to over 90% of Gibraltar's homeowners.
