Housing and planning

The Government announced plans to tackle the growing problem of newly built houses being sold as leasehold rather than freehold and to limit ground rents on newly created lease agreements

In the first instance, tenants should raise a complaint directly with the landlord/estate or lettings agent/managing agent. Once an internal complaints process is exhausted, if the issue is unresolved the next step could be to seek independent redress, e.g. via an Ombudsman where one exists. As a last resort, tenants and landlords normally have the

An overview of the ban on most letting fees that came into force in June 2019. Letting fee complaints are also explained.

Information on the position of freehold home owners who pay a service charge for the upkeep of communal areas on their estates.

In England, the planning system is “plan-led”, this means that national and local planning policy is set out in formal development plans (a term which can include “local plans”, “core strategies” and “neighbourhood plans”).

Help with long leaseholders housing questions including service charges and acquiring the freehold interest.

Most assured tenants of housing associations do not have a statutory Right to Bu​y. Some assured tenants may have a ‘preserved Right to Buy’ if they were secure tenants of the local authority when ownership of their homes transferred to a housing association.

Information on the planning process and how constituents can get involved at various stages

How can a constituent find financial support for home improvements?

As a rule, there is no general duty on home owners to maintain their properties and gardens to a specific standard. Neighbours cannot force someone to cut their lawn or carry out external paintwork. Exceptions to this rule may apply in certain cases where the properties are part of an estate management scheme.

This page provides brief information about the current regulation of estate agents in England and Wales.