Rochdale MP Paul Waugh Campaigns Against "Fleecehold" Charges as New Legislation Looms
Rochdale, UK – Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, has issued a community statement highlighting a growing concern among residents on privately managed estates regarding mandatory management fees and a lack of adequate maintenance, a problem often referred to as 'fleecehold'. The MP recently met with Halima Ali and residents in Newbold to discuss their experiences with these issues.
The 'fleecehold' problem describes a situation where homeowners, despite owning the freehold of their properties, are subject to mandatory charges from private management companies for the upkeep of communal areas. Residents frequently report these fees often come with little transparency and are not consistently matched by the quality of service provided, leading to poorly maintained estates. This issue, initially raised in Newbold, is understood to be widespread across privately managed developments in Rochdale and, nationally, affects an estimated 1.75 million homes.
Local resident Halima Ali has played a crucial role in bringing this matter to the forefront, actively working with the national Home Owners Rights Network (HorNets) campaign. Her efforts, and those of the campaign, have significantly contributed to raising government awareness of the problem's scale and impact.
The government is actively addressing these concerns, with a draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill expected to be presented to Parliament in the near future. MP Waugh has engaged directly with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook on the issue, advocating for stronger protections for homeowners. The Minister has expressed a firm commitment to safeguarding residential freeholders on these estates from unfair charges, indicating an intention to both enforce existing legislation more rigorously and to introduce new laws to provide greater security and fairness for homeowners.
The ongoing discussions and impending legislation offer a ray of hope for residents grappling with 'fleecehold' issues, signifying a concerted effort to establish clearer rights and more equitable management practices for those living on privately managed estates.
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| Image Edit (Original Image Credit: Paul Waugh) |
Local resident Halima Ali has played a crucial role in bringing this matter to the forefront, actively working with the national Home Owners Rights Network (HorNets) campaign. Her efforts, and those of the campaign, have significantly contributed to raising government awareness of the problem's scale and impact.
The government is actively addressing these concerns, with a draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill expected to be presented to Parliament in the near future. MP Waugh has engaged directly with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook on the issue, advocating for stronger protections for homeowners. The Minister has expressed a firm commitment to safeguarding residential freeholders on these estates from unfair charges, indicating an intention to both enforce existing legislation more rigorously and to introduce new laws to provide greater security and fairness for homeowners.
A real pleasure to meet Halima Ali and the residents in Newbold to discuss their “fleecehold” problem - being charged...
Posted by Paul Waugh on Thursday 23 October 2025
The ongoing discussions and impending legislation offer a ray of hope for residents grappling with 'fleecehold' issues, signifying a concerted effort to establish clearer rights and more equitable management practices for those living on privately managed estates.
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