On Tuesday Richard was accompanied by four local councillors when he delivered his petition to 10 Downing Street calling on the Government to ensure that reform of freehold management charges is announced in the KIng's Speech to Parliament on the 7th November.
Richard explains more about the petition delivery in the video which can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgHnaabtUM
Richard was joined by Councillor Jim Weir, Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Councillor Leigh Coombs and Councillor Jon Gambold. All four councillors have seen first hand some of the difficulties which residents have been experiencing with unfair and unreasonable management charges in Biddenham, Shortstown and Great Denham.
Over the last year, Richard has been campaigning for reform of freehold management charges. The current system has resulted in unreasonable charges, a lack of transparency, poor services and a lack of accountability. Many constituents have been in touch to recount their concerns about the way in which management charges are being levied.
The petition calls on the Government to:
a) ensure reform of freehold management charges in the following ways:
- the right to fair and reasonable charges and services of a reasonable standard
- the right to challenge the reasonableness of the charges
- the right to bring a case to the First-tier (Property Chamber) Tribunal to appoint a new management company
- the introduction of a Right to Manage
- the creation of a redress scheme for property management companies, with powers of sanction
b) ensure that the new regime applies equally to existing freehold management charges as well as prospective freehold management charges.
Richard Fuller MP said:
"I would like to thank all of those who signed the petition and local councillors for working with me on this issue. The number of signatories demonstrates again that there is a need for action and the petition serves to remind the Government in the weeks leading up to the King's Speech that there is an urgent need for reform.
Richard has taken a number of steps:
1) In 8th March, he wrote to the Prime Minister along with more than 30 other MPs calling on him to introduce reform. A copy of Richard's letter and the Prime Minister's reply are at the end of this article.
2) On 20th April, Richard called a debate in Parliament about the specific issues in North East Bedfordshire - Richard holds a debate on Freehold Management Charges | Richard Fuller
3) On 13th July, he took part in a further debate to reiterate the concerns - Richard continues fight for rights of freehold homeowners | Richard Fuller
4) On 22nd September, he launched the petition.
Further updates will be provided on Richard's website as well as in his weekly e-newsletter.
