UK Parliament / Open data

Building Safety Bill

Proceeding contribution from Lord Thurlow (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Monday, 28 February 2022. It occurred during Debate on bills and Committee proceeding on Building Safety Bill.

Before the Minister stands up, perhaps I can make two points. This is a large group of quite diverse amendments. My concern is over the

accountable person role. Judging by the discussion today—I will not go through the list of different contributions—I think it is going to be a very difficult job indeed. That person is going to need help in creating a co-operative working relationship with tenant groups, and the situation could be exacerbated by bad and difficult freeholders or managing agents, often in league, and if the accountable person finds himself or herself in their pocket it will not be made any easier.

I do not overlook difficult leaseholders. There are some tenants who will not let anybody into their building. That is also a problem to be dealt with, but I have two suggestions. The accountable person should be prepared to prove reasonableness in all their behaviours and should also be prepared to prove value for money. An autocratic manager refusing to engage with a leaseholder makes life even more difficult. In the second case, concerning value for money, whether it is the fire extinguisher example given by the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, or some captive insurance company or an arrangement with a very high commission-bearing insurer offering kickbacks to freeholders, that would be avoided.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

819 cc232-3GC 

Session

2021-22

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords Grand Committee
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