Telford MP, Lucy Allan, has welcomed news that the Government intends to strengthen consumer redress in the housing market.
The proposals outlined, yesterday, by the Secretary of State for Housing, Sajid Javid, follow on from a series of Government proposals to fix the UK’s housing market, and could see new regulation issued to limit stress and lengthy dispute caused by stonewalling developers and local authorities, as well as the frustrations borne on homeowners by slow and costly sales processes.
Ms Allan, who last month called on the Prime Minister to introduce stronger protections for new-build freeholders, following a number of owner-developer issues at Lawley Village and Lightmoor, in Telford, welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Government and believes that the proposal to bring existing redress schemes into the remit of a single ombudsman could help reduce confusion and improve access to redress.
The Government’s consultation, which is now open, will provide an invaluable insight into the views and experiences of people and treat upon the following areas:
- How the current redress landscape works;
- Improving ‘in–house’ complaint processes, to ensure that issues get resolved as quickly as possible;
- The practices and functions that should be expected of redress schemes and the powers that they need to do this;
- How to fill existing gaps in redress, with a particular focus on private tenants, buyers of new build homes and leaseholders – this includes considering appetite and options for introducing statutory ombudsmen;
- The case for streamlining and improving services for consumers through the creation of a single ombudsman service.
The consultation is open to tenants, landlords and homeowners, and Ms Allan is urging as many of her Telford constituents as possible to contribute.
Prospective contributors can access the consultation at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-consumer-redress-in-housing
Commenting on the Government’s announcement, Ms Allan said:
“As I said to the Prime Minister, last month, property ownership should be dream, and it is only right that, where faults or disputes occur, owners have simple and fair rights of redress.
“These proposals are a welcome step towards this end and show that the Government is listening to the concerns of homeowners, such as those at Lawley and Lighmoor – and I would encourage as many constituents as possible to respond to this consultation”
ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR EDITORS
· Ms Allan chaired a public meeting at Lawley Village Primary Academy, in Telford, in October 2017, and subsequently made representations to the-then Housing Minister, Alok Sharma MP about the failings of developers and local authorities. Details can be found at: www. https://www.lucyallan.com/news/lucy-allan-raises-case-freeholders-lawle…
· Ms Allan and residents of Lawley Village and Lightmoor have also held meetings with representatives of Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon Homes, Barratt Homes, Bournville Village Trust (BVT) and Telford & Wrekin Council, on the continuing issues at both developments.
Photo - Lucy Allan MP with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid MP.
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