Written questions by Berry.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 November 2024 on Leasehold and Commonhold Reform, HCWS244, what her planned timetable is to (a) consult and (b) bring measures into force on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024’s provisions on (i) service charges and (ii) legal costs.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement in question, the government will consult this year on the Act’s provisions on service charges and on legal costs, bringing these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason thank you payments to sponsors hosting refugees from Ukraine for more than 12 months will reduce from £500 to £350 from 1 April 2025; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this reduction on (a) the ability of sponsors to continue hosting more than one refugee and (b) local authority budgets.

To fund our continued support through the 18 month Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme visa period, and ensure it is affordable within government budgets, we have taken the difficult decision to reduce the level of thank you payments.We recognise that this is a difficult time for many. Sponsors who feel they cannot continue to support their guests may want to consider asking guests to pay a reasonable and proportionate contribution (according to use) for water, gas and electricity consumed or supplied to the accommodation or to any shared facilities. Sponsors might want to talk with their guest about moving to a more formal arrangement and consider offering a rental property or make use of the Government’s Rent a Room scheme.We are maintaining Government support for Ukrainians coming to the UK. For arrivals on Homes for Ukraine visas, local authorities continue to receive a tariff of £5,900 per Ukrainian arrival in their area (£10,500 for eligible minors), and councils have the flexibility to use this funding as best suits the local area which could include supporting guests to access privately rented accommodation.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the report by the New Economics Foundation entitled Building Hope: how land reforms will help deliver the homes we need, published on 20 November 2024.

The government have made clear its intention to reform the compulsory purchase order process and land compensation rules to enable more effective land assembly that will speed-up and lower the costs of the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure in the public interest. We will work with a wide range of experts and organisations to develop our policy in this area and will consider reports such as this one as part of that work.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the oral contribution of 4 September 2024 by the Prime Minister, Official Report, column 326, if she will take steps to require housing associations to publish fire risk assessments for their properties.

The Building Safety Act 2022 and associated regulations set out requirements for information that must be provided to residents in Higher-Risk Buildings - buildings which contain at least two residential units and are at least 18 metres in height, or have at least seven stories. Whilst not published, the Principal Accountable Person for these buildings must provide information to residents that will enable them to understand the safety of their building, including information on what they can do to make the building safer. This information includes the residents engagement plan, a summary of the safety case report, and a summary of the fire risk assessment for the building.The government has also committed to introducing new access to information requirements for housing associations so tenants can access the information they need about the management of their homes, including on matters relating to safety, to hold their landlords to account. Further details on the requirements will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to reply to Question 2676 on Council Housing: Finance tabled by the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion on 30 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 2676 on 13 November 2024.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to answer Question 2677 on Right to Buy Scheme tabled by the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion on 30 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 2677 on 13 November 2024.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the report by The Community Land Trust Network entitled Community Housing Fund Delivery Review, published 19th September 2024.

The government recognise that community-led housing delivers a wide range of benefits including building affordable homes, increasing community participation and strengthening the co-operative economy. I recently met with the Chief Executive of the Community Land Trust Network and other stakeholders to discuss how the government can best support the growth of community-led housing. This will include drawing on research and experience across the sector, including the Community Housing Fund Delivery Review.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take legislative steps to support the continued provision of leasehold flats and houses by (a) Community Land Trusts and (b) other community-led providers.

The government intends to act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights, powers, and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. These include specified exemptions for community-led housing from the ban on new leasehold houses and freehold acquisition. This will be provided the community-led housing provider obtains a certificate from the relevant Tribunal.The implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 will require an extensive programme of secondary legislation and we will set out the details in due course.With regard to new leasehold flats, the government is committed to banning their sale and making commonhold the default tenure and we intend to consult on the best way to achieve this.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to release capital investment for community led housing.

The government recognise that community-led housing delivers a wide range of benefits including building affordable homes, increasing community participation and strengthening the co-operative economy. I recently met with the Chief Executive of the Community Land Trust Network and other stakeholders to discuss how the government can best support the growth of community-led housing. This will include drawing on research and experience across the sector, including the Community Housing Fund Delivery Review.

Communities and Local Government, if she will set out her timetable to bring forward regulations relating to Schedule 3 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to allow Community Land Trusts to obtain community housing certificates to exempt homes from leasehold enfranchisement.

The government intends to act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights, powers, and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. These include specified exemptions for community-led housing from the ban on new leasehold houses and freehold acquisition. This will be provided the community-led housing provider obtains a certificate from the relevant Tribunal.The implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 will require an extensive programme of secondary legislation and we will set out the details in due course.With regard to new leasehold flats, the government is committed to banning their sale and making commonhold the default tenure and we intend to consult on the best way to achieve this.