§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the private ownership of occupied sheltered housing; what help is available to those living in non-regulated/non-registered accommodation; and if he will set up an ombudsman scheme.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department has received written representations from elderly leaseholders—directly or through their residents' asociations and via hon. Members.
All leaseholders are protected by the contractual terms of their lease which setout the rights and duties of landlords and tenants and the basis of the service charges. In addition, the existing legislation in the Landlord and Tenant Acts of 1985 and 1987 gives leaseholders additional statutory rights.
This protection will be augmented by new provisions in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. Qualifying tenants may jointly purchase the freehold of their flats. It also enables the Secretary of State to approve codes of management practice governing 719W property management and gives tenants the right to a management audit of their landlord by an independent accountant or surveyor.
The Government are not persuaded of the case for an ombudsman scheme for privately owned sheltered housing, nor of the practicality of that approach.