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Housing and Regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans has announced a new group to consider improvements to the leasehold sector in Wales.

Groups representing different perspectives on leasehold, including residents groups, housebuilders, advice services, and housing professionals will come together next week in a task and finish group to consider a number of issues:

• failings in the leasehold system in Wales: how they impact on leaseholders, and recommendations to address these
• advising on production and dissemination of materials to better explain how leasehold works, guidance and relevant training for all those involved in buying or selling leasehold property;
• proposals for a voluntary code of practice for management agents
• options for freehold homeowners on private estates to challenge estate charges. 

Rebecca Evans said:

“We have seen widespread criticism of poor practice in the use of leasehold in Wales. We will not support practices which have a negative impact on homeowners, and I have already taken action to prevent the use of leasehold in new build houses in Wales.

“In terms of where we go next, these are complex issues, and I have asked a wide range of interested parties to advise me so that I can take well thought through and appropriate steps to address the wide and varied concerns that have been raised with me.”

The group includes the Federation of Private Residents Associations, the Homebuilders Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing and has been convened for up to two years. It is anticipated that the Minister will receive a report from the task and finish group in summer 2019. 

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