Angela Rayner has issued a forceful demand for the Government to expedite leasehold reform, cautioning that any postponement would prove "damaging" to parliamentary credibility. In a pointed address to the Commons Housing Committee, the former housing secretary emphasised that ministers must adopt a more robust stance against rogue managing agents, urging them to resist "vested interests" that could obstruct progress.
Rayner's Call for Urgent Legislative Action
Rayner's intervention follows her recent push to ensure Sir Keir Starmer honours his election commitment to cap ground rents, a pledge she insists must be upheld without compromise. Since stepping down from her roles as deputy prime minister, housing secretary, and deputy Labour leader last September, Rayner has strategically intervened on multiple occasions to pressure the Government into action, positioning herself as a influential voice within the party.
Challenges to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act
During her committee appearance, Rayner directed a clear message to the Treasury, urging officials to dismiss any attempts by freeholders to delay the implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which was passed by the previous administration. "We know their appetite, but we also know that we can win the battle - and we should - and previous governments, including ours, have said 'we've got to do it', so we should get on and do it," she asserted to MPs.
She elaborated on the risks of inaction, stating, "And I think that too slow action on it will be damaging for us as a parliament, because it looks like the vested interests win over the will of the people. And quite frankly, it's not a political point. It's a right or wrong, and it's wrong what is happening, and therefore it's our duty to put it right."
Key Provisions and Gaps in the Draft Bill
The Government's draft leasehold bill, currently under scrutiny by the committee before progressing through Parliament, includes significant measures such as capping ground rents at £250 annually, banning the sale of new leasehold flats, and enhancing homeowners' control over building management. However, Rayner highlighted critical omissions, noting the absence of regulations for managing agents and mechanisms to curb escalating service charges.
Proposals for Enhanced Regulation
Addressing these gaps, Rayner called for the introduction of an independent regulator to oversee managing agents and increase transparency in service charges. "I think the lack of regulation for management agents is a real problem," she told the MPs, adding, "We’ve for the mandate and we’ve got to move at pace." She stressed that proposals to regulate management agents must be "taken forward" promptly, and she urged ministers to do "more" to enact laws inherited from the last government.
When questioned about the potential impact of the draft bill, Rayner expressed cautious optimism, responding, "Yes, if they stick to it." She described the legislation as "some of the meatiest" being advanced by the Government but suggested that additional provisions could strengthen it further.
Rayner's Political Trajectory and Strategic Moves
Rayner's resignation last year stemmed from a controversy over unpaid stamp duty on her flat, an issue she must resolve with HMRC before considering a potential leadership bid. Despite this, she has remained active in political discourse, leveraging key moments to influence policy, such as forcing Sir Keir Starmer into a reversal on publishing the Mandelson papers. Her continued interventions underscore her role as a pivotal figure advocating for housing reforms and broader legislative accountability.
