Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Snowden this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 187 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 76390 on Property Development: Insolvency, what steps his Department plans to take to support residents where the freehold estate management company has ceased to operate following developer insolvency.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 76390 on 19 September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 76390 on Road Adoption: Insolvency, whether the upcoming consultation will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing a statutory duty on developers or management companies to ensure transfer of ownership or maintenance responsibility in the event of insolvency.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 76390 on 19 September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average house price for first time buyers in Lancashire.
According to the Land Registry, the average price paid for a home by a first-time buyer was £245,000 in England and £158,000 in Lancashire as at July 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing developers comply with statutory obligations to complete roads to an adoptable standard.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 80700 on 20 October 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted any assessments on the implications of replacing council tax with a property-based tax payable by property owners rather than occupiers.
The government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider options for reform where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike. The Chancellor makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce rent controls in Lancashire.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 56269 on 10 June 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing local authority discretion to waive the Council Tax premium on second homes in cases where the second property is used for essential non-luxury purposes on homeowners.
Decisions on whether to apply council tax premiums are a matter for individual councils. Where a council chooses to implement a premium, they have the discretionary power to set their own local exceptions to premiums, or provide discounts where they consider this appropriate. The government has no plans to restrict or remove these powers.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take with local authorities to encourage social cohesion at a neighbourhood level in Lancashire.
The government has recently announced the Pride in Place programme, which will support up to 244 of Great Britain’s most in-need neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. Our long-term investment is designed not only to address deprivation, but also to rebuild social capital and strengthen community ties in these areas, with a portion of funding expected to support cohesion-related projects. In Lancashire, funding is being provided to Accrington, Burnley, Darwen, Rawtenstall, Nelson, Shadsworth & Intack in Blackburn, Fleetwood, Little Layton & Little Carleton in Blackpool, Ribbleton in Preston, Morecambe West End, and Skelmersdale South East. The Pride in Place programme will target long-term investment to the communities that need it most, but some areas also need more immediate support to tackle local priorities. The Pride in Place Impact Fund will provide £150 million to up to 100 places, with each place receiving £1.5 million over two years to improve the places and spaces valued by local people. In Lancashire, the following local authorities have each been allocated £1.5 million from the Price in Place Impact Fund: Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Preston. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received representations on inconsistencies in legal requirements for indemnity insurance on similar properties within the same estate; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of those practices on sellers’ (a) costs and (b) conveyancing outcomes.
The Department has not received representations on the specific issue in question. On 9 February 2025, the government announced action to improve the availability of property information through digitalisation. This will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time. We continue to work with stakeholders across industry as we consider next steps.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help support homeowners who face delays in property sales due to unresolved title restrictions related to developers in liquidation.
Most new build homes are issued with a 10-year new-build warranty which may protect homeowners against builder insolvency leading to failure in completing the build. Some warranties cover the buyer’s deposit in the event the buyer has exchanged contracts off-plan, and the developer becomes insolvent before completing the build.Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent and then liquidates. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the processes for adoption of (a) roads and (b) common areas on estates where the developer has become insolvent.
Decisions on whether or not to adopt roads is a matter for the relevant local highway authority. Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area. As part of their 14th Programme, the Law Commission are also undertaking a project on the management of freehold housing estates. Details of both projects can be found on the Law Commission website here. The government is determined to end the injustice of 'fleecehold' entirely and we will consult this year on options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS2440).
Communities and Local Government, what protections are in place for homeowners facing (a) legal and (b) financial hardship due to the insolvency of housing developers.
Most new build homes are issued with a 10-year new-build warranty which may protect homeowners against builder insolvency leading to failure in completing the build. Some warranties cover the buyer’s deposit in the event the buyer has exchanged contracts off-plan, and the developer becomes insolvent before completing the build.Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent and then liquidates. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area.
Communities and Local Government, if he will commission an inquiry into the (a) (i) conduct and (ii) accountability of housebuilders who go into administration and (b) impact of that administration on homeowners left without adequate (A) legal, (B) title and (C) infrastructure protections.
Most new build homes are issued with a 10-year new-build warranty which may protect homeowners against builder insolvency leading to failure in completing the build. Some warranties cover the buyer’s deposit in the event the buyer has exchanged contracts off-plan, and the developer becomes insolvent before completing the build.Where developers face financial difficulties before development is completed, we would expect local authorities to work with administrators to help unblock sites and restart housing delivery to complete the development. As part of their responsibilities local authorities should consider how to mitigate risks around infrastructure delivery including looking at the timing of infrastructure completion on site and considering whether it is appropriate to require developers to set aside bonds which can be used to complete infrastructure should the developer be unable to do so.Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent and then liquidates. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to to Question 73498 on Housing: heating, whether the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation received representations from housebuilders and end-users on the (a) performance and (b) sizing of radiator systems in new homes.
The energy performance of radiator systems in new-build homes is governed by the Building Regulations, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Associated statutory guidance is provided in the Approved Documents which accompany the Building Regulations. We draw on evidence from industry and the public to inform Approved Document guidance and ensure new homes are high-quality and energy efficient. While the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation did not include specific questions on sizing radiators, the existing Approved Document L Volume 1 provides guidance on this.This guidance was last updated in 2021 following two consultations which provided housebuilders and end-users with the opportunity to provide feedback, and an impact assessment was published at the time of implementation. Separately, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently ran a consultation on raising product standards for space heating. This set out proposals which would drive improvements in the efficiency of new heating appliances and closed in March 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of buildings under 18m in height but classified as higher-risk solely due to the treatment of non-residential basement or semi-basement garages as storeys on leaseholders.
If the building is below 18m in height (measured from ground level) and has fewer than 7 storeys, it should not be classed as higher-risk under the current regulatory framework. Importantly, storeys located below ground level - including non-residential basements or semi-basement garages - should not be counted when determining whether a building meets the higher-risk threshold. Therefore, such buildings should not be classed as higher-risk.A comprehensive review of the higher-risk regime is scheduled for 2027, and the Building Safety Regulator is expected to publish its initial review and ongoing review by the end of summer 2025. These may address how impacts are assessed and inform future policy adjustments.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September to Question 73498 on Housing: heating, what recent estimate his Department has made of the average efficiency rating of radiator systems being installed in new-build properties.
The energy performance of radiator systems in new-build homes is governed by the Building Regulations, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Associated statutory guidance is provided in the Approved Documents which accompany the Building Regulations. We draw on evidence from industry and the public to inform Approved Document guidance and ensure new homes are high-quality and energy efficient. While the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation did not include specific questions on sizing radiators, the existing Approved Document L Volume 1 provides guidance on this.This guidance was last updated in 2021 following two consultations which provided housebuilders and end-users with the opportunity to provide feedback, and an impact assessment was published at the time of implementation. Separately, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently ran a consultation on raising product standards for space heating. This set out proposals which would drive improvements in the efficiency of new heating appliances and closed in March 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that buildings previously deemed compliant by local fire services are not subject to excessive remedial costs due to reinterpretations of insulation or other materials under the new Higher-Risk Building regime.
The higher-risk building regime fundamentally reforms the way higher-risk buildings are designed, built and managed. They change the building control process, and place new duties on accountable persons when these buildings are managed, to make sure that safety and performance of these buildings is considered right at the start of the design process and all the way through the building’s lifecycle.The changes will reassure residents, mitigating negative mental health impacts arising from fears around safety or financial insecurities; reduce the risk of fire and structural incidents occurring; reduce the likelihood of systemic risks arising and the cost associated with putting them right; and provide confidence to the insurance and mortgage market.It is worth noting that the regime has only introduced new procedural requirements for dutyholders to robustly demonstrate how their projects will meet compliance. The functional requirements under the building regulations with which dutyholders need to comply remain the same as under the previous regime.We do recognise that these new procedural requirements in the regime may result in some additional costs for leaseholders. Our expectation is that these requirements will help dutyholders to get things right from the outset, which should reduce additional time at later stages and the need to correct non-compliant or defective work, saving time and money in the longer term.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of whether building safety regulations are being applied proportionately to low-rise, low-occupancy buildings that have historically met all safety standards and fire service inspections.
In the initial stages, a building control application is usually required for new buildings. This is reviewed by building control bodies to ensure compliance with building regulations.During the build process, progress on site may be checked and monitored, using a number of methods, including on site visits, where the inspector may ask the builders on site to open up parts of the build in order to check compliance, and give advice if needed.At the end of the build process, if a building complies with relevant regulations, a completion certificate will be issued.Building control bodies conduct checks to assure building work or material changes of use are compliant with the building regulations. However, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the person carrying out the work (and, where appointed, the principal designer and principal contractor) to ensure building work complies with these requirements.
Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to require estate agents and other sellers of residential property to include risk warnings in property listings where the tenure is leasehold.
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision.On 9 February, the government announced action to improve the availability of property information. This will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time.In addition, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains measures to protect leasehold homeowners, including specific measures to improve the home buying and selling process by ensuring information required to sell a leasehold home is accessible at a reasonable cost. We will be consulting on the secondary legislation that is required to switch on these measures in due course.We continue to work with stakeholders across industry, government, and the public sector to understand the most effective way of supporting buyers to make the right decisions.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) penalties and (b) redress mechanisms where leaseholders were not properly informed about the (i) risks and (ii) financial obligations associated with their lease.
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision.On 9 February, the government announced action to improve the availability of property information. This will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time.In addition, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains measures to protect leasehold homeowners, including specific measures to improve the home buying and selling process by ensuring information required to sell a leasehold home is accessible at a reasonable cost. We will be consulting on the secondary legislation that is required to switch on these measures in due course.We continue to work with stakeholders across industry, government, and the public sector to understand the most effective way of supporting buyers to make the right decisions.