Housing minister says LEASE must be on the side of leaseholders, and promises more money

February 2, 2017 By admin

The Leasehold Advisory Service will be funded so that it can unambiguously represent the interests of leaseholders without dependence commercial deals with the sector, the housing minister Gavin Barwell said yesterday.

“This means information must be free in financial terms, but it must also be free from any bias; impartial; a service dedicated to leaseholders,” Mr Barwell told the Leasehold Advisory Service “annual conference” / trade show where admission cost £350 a head.

“In recent years we have encouraged them to act more commercially, selling their services to others in the leasehold markets, including freeholders and managing agents.

“But what we really want is for them to help leaseholders. To be solely, and unapologetically, on their side.

“That’s why I am announcing today that the Department for Communities for Local Government will ensure LEASE receives sufficient on-going funding to concentrate solely on advising the growing number of leaseholders.

“This means LEASE concentrating only on supporting leaseholders and being funded to ensure it can maintain its independence in doing so.

“I want LEASE to use the capacity they gain to inform and shape future leasehold reforms, alongside their advice service to leaseholders. I want LEASE to use what they learn from helping leaseholders to take forward our ambition for improving how leasehold operates to ensure it works on a fair basis for all.”

Big managing agents are big because they have got business from developers or large-scale freehold owing companies. Doubtless they are very obliging.

Not a single one is big through consumer choice.

Managing agents accredited to LKP want business from leaseholders. Many are former leaseholders.

All have signed undertakings of good practice and have provided extensive references … from leaseholders.

They can also hand-hold leaseholders through right to manage at minimal cost.

Contact Sebastian O’Kelly at LKP for further details: sok@leaseholdknowledge.com, 07808 328 230

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Comments

chas says
February 2, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Subject: LEASE
Gavin Barwell the new Housing Minister informed the Leasehold Advisory Service at their annual conference – trade show costing £350 a head.
He commented and admitted:-
“In recent years we have encouraged LEASE to act more commercially, selling their services to others in the leasehold markets, including freeholders and managing agents”
chas says:-
This resulted in leaseholder been put at a great disadvantage by these Freeholders and Managing Agents as commercial interest were overshadowed by unscrupulous professionals explaining to other professionals how to make more money using scams not illegal but morally reprehensible.
Having known this, why only now, has this to change???
Gavin Barwell continues:-
“But what we really want is for them to help leaseholders. To be solely, and unapologetically, on their side. “That’s why I am announcing today that the Department for Communities for Local Government will ensure LEASE receives sufficient on-going funding to concentrate solely on advising the growing number of leaseholders. “This means LEASE concentrating only on supporting leaseholders and being funded to ensure it can maintain its independence in doing so.
“I want LEASE to use the capacity they gain to inform and shape future leasehold reforms, alongside their advice service to leaseholders. I want LEASE to use what they learn from helping leaseholders to take forward our ambition for improving how leasehold operates to ensure it works on a fair basis for all.”
chas says:
How many years have past since LEASE was value for money? We pay for this QUANGO which has spent all these years informing the likes of doggy Solicitors – cheating Managing Agents – money grabbing Freeholders, how to milk us leaseholder.