Written question asked by Barry Sheerman (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 March 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 March 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what progress has been made towards the implementation of the provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 that will protect leaseholders from bogus ground rent charges.

Answer: Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards the implementation of the provisions of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 that will protect leaseholders from bogus ground rent charges. [157490] Keith Hill: The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 includes provisions that will make it mandatory for landlords to give leaseholders a notice specifying how much ground rent is required, when the rent is payable and what the consequences are of non- payment. The leaseholder will also be given a grace period for paying the ground rent, which will be not be less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the day of the notice. The measures will form part of the third Commencement Order which will deal with the outstanding accounting, insurance, forfeiture, ground rent and right to enfranchise provisions in the 2002 Act. The Order and associated regulations are expected to be laid in July this year, coming into force in most cases, three months later.

Secondary information