While we celebrate the success of help to buy, let's also crackdown on the leasehold con.

Todays help to buy figures show how we've helped people in Portsmouth get on the housing ladder. Being able to own your own home is a good way to build financial security for you and your family. But there is more to tackle to get the housing market to really work for everyone. I am also pleased that today the department of local government has announced a crackdown on unfair leasehold practices. This was something that I have been calling for as a number of people in Portsmouth have been badly affected by these immoral schemes, which con new buyers into being trapped by ever increasing ground rent and a huge fee if they wish to buy the freehold. As well as putting a to stop that practice we need the industry to compensate those already victim to it. I will be responding to this consultation and would urge others to do the same. If you are from Portsmouth and are responding I'd be grateful if you would let me know,similarly if you have been a victim please let my office know.

Take part in the consultation by clicking on the link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tackling-unfair-practices-in-the-leasehold-market