Liverpool City Council 14th November 2018 Part 3 of 4
Channel: John Brace
Date: 2018-11-16

Liverpool City Council 14th November 2018 Part 3 of 4

Filmed by John Brace https://johnbrace.com/ .

Council Chamber, Liverpool Town Hall, High St, Liverpool L2 3SW

The reports for this meeting can be found on Liverpool City Council's website here http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=305&MId=16818 .

Continues from Liverpool City Council 14th November 2018 Part 2 of 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO7_hA0lrr8 .

10. Fair Deal for Leaseholders by Councillors Kimberley Berry and Sharon Connor 0:01

This Council expresses its severe dissatisfaction with this Government’s failure to adequately regulate the sale of leasehold properties within the UK, and tackle the onerous terms of existing leases.

It notes its concern for the financial burdens suffered by homeowners, due to unregulated developer practices, and the unacceptable terms of leases.

It notes concern for residents, who find themselves unable to sell their homes, except for a considerable discount, following the public’s increasing awareness of the struggles affecting leasehold homeowners.

It welcomes pledges to address the matter; however, expresses frustration regarding the extent of this Government’s plans, and its commitment to support those already affected by unfair practices, and charges.

This Council resolves that this Government takes urgent action to address:-

a)     The soaring ground rent charges that existing leaseholders are obliged to pay to developers, or the companies to which the freehold has been sold;

b)     The disturbing practice of freeholders selling the freehold to third parties, without the knowledge of the existing leaseholders, and without first offering the leaseholder the option of purchasing the freehold;

c)     Increasingly unaffordable estate maintenance charges levied against the leaseholders, and spiralling costs;

d)     The unclear, and in many cases, excessive cost of the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders;

e)     The unfair systems of administration charges imposed via the lease, to the hindrance of (for example) leaseholders who wish to make alterations to the property;

f)      The actions of freeholders who continue to claim administration fees, following transfer, through the wrongful practice of including restrictive covenants in transfer deeds, to in an attempt to replicate these shameful terms of the lease.

g)     The requirement of existing leaseholders to have owned the lease for a minimum period, before being eligible to purchase the freehold;

h)     The lack of advice and adequate compensation schemes available to leaseholders who believe they have been miss-sold, and/or their lease contains onerous conditions.

The Council requests that Mayor Anderson writes to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to express its concern regarding the above issues, and request further, pressing action is taken to not only to restrict the development of further leasehold homes, but to provide appropriate support and means of redress for existing leaseholders.

Continues after a battery change at Liverpool City Council 14th November 2018 Part 4 of 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTIidPRl9x4 .