Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 July 2026
Letter from The Property Institute to the Chair dated 25 June 2026 concerning recommendations on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
From: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Inquiry: Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill
Summary
The Property Institute clarifies its earlier evidence to the Committee on the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, particularly regarding FirstPort's disciplinary record and TPI's statutory limitations. TPI emphasises it lacks powers to award compensation, prevent trading, or levy fines—functions only statutory regulators possess—and directs the Committee to the Ombudsman for enforcement. TPI reaffirms its support for full implementation of Lord Best's recommendations, including mandatory qualifications and a statutory regulator.
Key findings
- FirstPort has been subject to two separate TPI suspensions; the more recent arose from a complaint about management handovers, upheld by CEDR and TPI's Complaints Committee, with suspension lifted after compliance review confirmed corrective measures met standards.
- TPI has no statutory powers to award compensation, provide redress, prevent a firm practising, or levy punitive fines; neither of the two professional bodies with leasehold management members is a regulator.
- TPI directed affected leaseholders to the Ombudsman (the only body with authority to apply ultimate sanctions) and the Leasehold Advisory Service; notes the Ombudsman did not expel FirstPort.
- The sector remains unregulated despite professional calls for change over a decade; successive Governments have failed to deliver Lord Best's recommendations in full.
- TPI's position is 'Best is Best, delivered in full'—advocating for a robust Code of Practice, mandatory qualifications, and a statutory regulator with genuine enforcement powers.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
The Property Institute, FirstPort, Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, Florence Eshalomi MP, Lord Best, Minister Pennycook, CEDR (independent adjudication scheme), Ombudsman
Notable line
“TPI has no statutory powers, and we cannot award compensation, provide redress, or prevent a firm or individual from practising.”
Key Quotes
“TPI has no statutory powers, and we cannot award compensation, provide redress, or prevent a firm or individual from practising.”
“The underlying cause is that the sector remains unregulated despite the profession calling for change for well over a decade, and successive Governments have failed to deliver Lord Best's recommendations in full.”
“Our position remains what it has always been — Best is Best, delivered in full — and on that, we believe we are very much of one mind with the Committee.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗