Telford MP Lucy Allan raises freehold residents' problems with housing minister

In Parliament, Housing Minister, Alok Sharma MP made a statement to announce a call for evidence on protecting consumers in the letting and management agents market.

The Housing Minister in his statement said that some freeholders on new-build estates pay money and receive services, but have little say over which agent provides them or what cost.

Ms Allan recently chaired a public meeting in Lawley on this issue.

The meeting on September 27. was attended by over 100 people.

It was held after Ms Allan received concerns from Lawley residents about the difficulties they were experiencing with delayed completion of different phases of the development, poor maintenance of the area as well as the relationship with the managing agent and the different developers responsible for the build.

The MP also received 250 unhappy responses to a local survey asking residents for their views.

Following the Minister’s statement, Ms Allan asked the minister what steps can be taken to protect consumer rights of freeholders who pay management fees, and specifically referred to Lawley Village, Telford, where residents have been raising concerns.

Mr Sharma agreed to look at all matters and urged residents to forward their thoughts as part of the call for evidence.

Ms Allan said: "I am pleased that I was able to raise the problems freeholders paying management fees face with the Housing Minister in Parliament.

"The minister’s response is an encouraging sign that the Government will be looking at all areas in their consultation, including the rights and protections for freeholders. This will be welcome in Lawley Village and across Telford."