Adam Dance MP presses Government on protections for shared ownership residents in Yeovil

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has raised concerns in Parliament about the protections in place for residents in shared ownership properties, particularly around issues such as dangerous mould and housing conditions.
 

Through a series of Parliamentary Written Questions to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Adam asked what steps the Government is taking to strengthen legal protections for shared ownership residents in Yeovil, and how it is ensuring issues like mould are properly addressed.
 

In response, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP highlighted that most shared ownership providers are regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and must meet standards on governance, transparency and accountability. He also pointed to new expectations under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, including improved affordability, greater transparency on costs, and more flexibility for residents.
 

Responding, Adam said:
“Shared ownership is meant to help people onto the housing ladder, but too often I hear from residents who feel they are stuck in the worst of both worlds — facing rising costs without the protections that other tenants or homeowners might expect.
 

“I am particularly concerned about cases where serious issues like mould are not being addressed quickly enough. No one should have to live in unsafe or unhealthy conditions.”
 

Adam has been contacted by residents facing challenges with shared ownership arrangements, including concerns about maintenance, costs and communication with housing providers.
 

He added:

 “While I welcome steps to improve transparency and affordability, it is clear that more needs to be done to strengthen protections and ensure housing providers are properly held to account.

“I will continue to press the Government to make sure residents in Yeovil and across the country are treated fairly and can live in safe, secure homes.” Adam is encouraging residents experiencing issues with shared ownership properties to contact his office on adam.dance.mp@parliament.uk so he can raise concerns directly with housing providers and Ministers.