Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash raises residents' housing concerns in Parliament
Hartlepool's MP has called for action in Parliament to address issues being faced by residents who he says are “being ridden roughshod over” by their estate management company.
Earlier this year it was revealed leaseholders living at Wynyard Mews, in Hartlepool, were demanding repairs to their flats after raising concerns over infestations of birds and rats, fly-tipping and “rotting” windows.
They said this was due to damage to the likes of fences, roofs, cladding and guttering which have been left unrepaired – despite residents paying a service charge for the upkeep of the area.
This led to them issuing a “formal vote of no confidence” in estate management company Praxis Block Management and calling for evidence over how their charges are being spent.
Bosses at Praxis, put in place by freeholder Lisa Real Estate, previously said they “continue to face an uphill battle in addressing the long standing maintenance issues” which were already in place when they began managing the site in 2024.
They also claimed some leaseholders “have not been paying service charges”, which had been “limiting Praxis flexibility to provide services” although they stressed “day to day maintenance is still ongoing”.
Hartlepool’s MP Jonathan Brash recently raised the issues being faced by Wynyard Mews residents in the House of Commons and called for wider changes to be brought in to prevent such situations occurring.
The Labour representative said: “Constituents in Wynyard Mews in Hartlepool are being ridden roughshod over by their estate management company Praxis.
“Time and again, members of this house hear the same stories of excessive and unjustified charges, poor standards of service, a complete lack of accountability and residents left feeling trapped in their own homes, with nowhere to turn and no chance of selling.”
He also argued powers exist to tackle the issue but that “many of the relevant provisions have still not been brought into force” and called for a timetable for implementation to be established.
The leader of the House of Commons, Sir Alan Campbell, responded by noting consultation on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 closed in September and a response will come in due course.
He added: “It is important that we get this right, because these things can have a huge impact on people’s lives.”
Praxis has been contacted for a further response.