Residents urged to share views on 'fleecehold' scam

Helen Morgan is urging housing estate residents to share their experiences of ‘fleecehold’ and help ensure that Ministers introduce stricter regulations.

The Government has launched two consultations as it considers how it will change the law and Helen is urging anybody affected to share their views.

The North Shropshire MP has long campaigned for the Government to crack down on dodgy developers and cowboy estate management companies who exploit homeowners on estates where not all of the infrastructure has been adopted by the council or utility companies.

Helen has supported residents who have bought homes only to find that key infrastructure like roads or sewage has not been completed to a high enough standard to be adopted by the council or utility company – forcing residents to foot the bill.

Many others have to pay huge fees to estate management companies in return for minimal services, on top of their council tax payments.

The MP has proposed a variety of changes to the law to protect people from fleecehold and held a Parliamentary debate on the topic where she highlighted examples from across North Shropshire. 

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: “Fleecehold is a scam and must be stopped.

“Action should have been taken a long time ago but I’m pleased the Government appears to finally be moving forward with changes, albeit far too slowly.

“I urge anybody affected by fleecehold situations to share their views and help make the case for change.

“I have heard so many awful experiences from across North Shropshire – experiences that could and should have been prevented by much better legislation.”

One of the consultations is on protections for homeowners on freehold estates and the other is on private estate management arrangements. Both are open for responses until March 12.

Residents can take part by clicking the links above and then clicking through to the relevant survey.