AM: LEASEHOLD PLAN ‘ONLY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE’ OF PROBLEM

Mick Antoniw, Assembly Member for Pontypridd has welcomed the Welsh Government’s plan to limit the development of leasehold houses, but has warned that it ‘only scratches the surface’ of the leasehold problem in Wales.

The Welsh Government announcement, which limits the development of leasehold properties which quality for the Help to Buy scheme, follows a recent Assembly debate, led by Mick Antoniw and which resulted in unanimous cross-party support for Welsh Government action to protect future home-owners by abolishing leasehold residential contracts in Wales.

Responding to Housing Minister Rebecca Evans’ statement Mick Antoniw said:

“I welcome any initiative which limits the impact and growth of leasehold contracts, but we have to appreciate that this voluntary scheme only scratches the surface of the problem in Wales.

“I recently led an Assembly debate on leasehold developments in Wales and it was clear that leasehold contacts – it’s estimated that there are around 200,000 in Wales – cause major issues in respect of spiralling ground rents, restrictions on how and when homes can be modified and on falling property values.

“This Welsh Government initiative is a good first step, but only outright abolition can protect people from leasehold contracts, which are completely outdated and exploitative.

“I have tabled a Members’ Legislative Proposal at the Assembly which calls for legislation to ban the development of leasehold houses in Wales and I hope that my proposal will be selected for debate and attract the Welsh Government’s support.”