Written questions by Niblett.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps with local authorities to remove the requirement for households on freehold estates to pay estate management charges, in the context of the New Homes Accelerator Programme.

As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November (HCWS244), the government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. Next year we will consult on implementing the Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager.The New Homes Accelerator is a collaboration between the government, Homes England, the Greater London Authority, local authorities, developers and other key stakeholders. It aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to return the (a) areas and (b) activities of private estate management in the private sector to local authorities.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to ensure that charges for freehold homeowners for the upkeep of shared (a) areas and (b) facilities are equitable.

I refer my hon Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that local authorities hold a legally binding bond to ensure new housing developments are completed if the developer declares bankruptcy.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice which requires a developer to complete their development if it is left uncompleted. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will no longer be valid.In our recent response to the NPPF consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, we made clear we are also taking steps to implement build out reporting, including bringing in a new requirement for housing developers to submit annual progress reports.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.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent new housing developments being left (a) uncompleted and (b) unadopted by the local authority following developer bankruptcy.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice which requires a developer to complete their development if it is left uncompleted. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will no longer be valid.In our recent response to the NPPF consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, we made clear we are also taking steps to implement build out reporting, including bringing in a new requirement for housing developers to submit annual progress reports.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.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to ensure that new developments in rural areas are (a) sustainable and (b) environmentally friendly.

We fully support the need for all new homes to be well designed, sustainable and environmentally friendly, including those in rural areas.Future standards next year will set our new homes on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and...

Communities and Local Government, what role her Department expects the (a) Mayoral Council and (b) Leaders Council to play in supporting regional governance.

The Mayoral Council will support regional governance by building stronger partnership working between the UK Government and Mayors of Combined Authorities to deliver economic growth and effective public services.The Leaders Council brings together ministe...

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to regulate estate management providers to ensure that homeowners are not subject to (a) hidden fees, (b) unclear information and (c) unsatisfactory maintenance

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer to Question UIN 13718 on 15 November 2024.