Layla Moran MP questions Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the “wild west” of the service charge sector
Layla questioned Keir Starmer in Prime Minister’s Questions on what he is doing to tackle the outrageous fees common in the service charge sector.
Layla, the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, raised the stories of two of her constituents in Parliament, Allison and Rebecca, who have both been victim to unfair service charges by their housing associations. Allison has seen two sets of service charges imposed in the last six months, despite not being in her tenancy agreement. One set of service charges for the cutting of hedges around her home, which she has done herself for twenty two years, and one for the cleaning of communal areas which do not exist.
Her daughter Rebecca, whose property is also managed by the same housing association, has seen her service charges increase from £10,984 to £29,045, a 164% increase in just three years.
Allison and Rebecca’s stories are not unusual, and Layla’s inbox is often filled with constituents being held ransom to unfair hikes in service charges or inadequate levels of service by property management companies.
Today Layla asked the Prime Minister to consider Liberal Democrat plans for regulation of the service charge sector.
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cap unreasonable service and estate management charges paid by residents, introduce a new regulator as recommended in the Lord Best report and ensure Local Authorities have the proper powers to crack down on abuses by property management companies.
Layla Moran MP said:
“It is shocking to hear so many stories of constituents who are victims of unfair service charges. I was pleased to be able to highlight the stories of Allison and Rebecca to the Prime Minister today and raise the crucial issue of service charges at Prime Minister’s Questions.
I urge the Prime Minister to go further in his Government’s reforms and look at the Liberal Democrats' plans for proper regulation of the wild west that is the service charges sector.”
