Since the beginning of 2023, Richard has campaigned for reform of freehold estate management charges.
Many constituents have been in touch with Richard to recount their concerns about the way in which management charges are being levied, a problem which affects many thousands of people across North Bedfordshire. The current system of freehold estate management charges is a mess and has resulted in unreasonable charges, a lack of transparency, poor services and no rights for homeowners to challenge bills they think are wrong or unfair.
At the start of 2023, Richard coordinated a letter to the then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, signed by more than 30 other MPs highlighting concerns and calling on the PM to introduce reform. In April 2023, Richard called a debate in Parliament about the specific issues in North Bedfordshire and in October 2023 he presented a petition to Number 10 with local councillors asking for Rishi Sunak to introduce new legislation.
Having listened to Richard's calls, the government committed to delivering change in the King's Speech and the government proposed a Bill to establish a new statutory regime for freehold homeowners based on the rights that leaseholders already have. Richard sat on the Bill committee and has continued his fight for the rights of freeholders through the Committee and the remaining stages through the House of Commons. The Bill passed during the “wash-up before the General Election and Richard is pleased that some of its provisions have now become law.
Since the General Election we have a new Minister, Matthew Pennycook, whom Richard has been contacting regularly to raise specific concerns from residents. The Government have committed to bringing the remainder of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024’s provisions into effect and you can find out more about their plans in this Ministerial Statement: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Richard has continued to lobby the Government about this matter and in February 2025 he received a letter response from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, which can be read here: An update on freehold reform | Richard Fuller MP
