§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit freeholders from prescribing a sole insurer or sole broker for the insurance of the building by the leaseholder; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to prohibit proceedings being taken by a freeholder for the forfeiture of a lease on the grounds that the leaseholder has failed to insure the property with an insurance company, or through an insurance agency, prescribed by the freeholder; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government have no proposals for legislation on the insurance of leasehold residential property at this stage. As regards flats, the committee that my hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Construction established under the chairmanship of Mr. Edward Nugee QC, is looking at a wide range of 309W management problems, including insurance. Its recommendations may have implications for other forms of residential property. Most leaseholders living in houses can enfranchise under the terms of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (as amended) if they wish to free themselves from obligations regarding insurance arising in connection with their lease.