Yesterday’s Inquiry Session in Parliament laid bare the scale of frustration and concern felt by leaseholders across the country about the conduct of FirstPort, the UK’s largest leasehold management company.

The inquiry heard from twelve constituents who remain unhappy with the quality of service from FirstPort. Despite previous assurances from FirstPort’s Managing Director, Martin King, it is clear that the promised improvements have not materialised.

The inquiry was divided into three focused sessions addressing levels of management, communication with residents and FirstPort’s financial transparency. Witnesses shared their personal experiences with FirstPort and MPs questioned witnesses on key themes including service quality, repair timeliness, customer communication, and the justification for escalating service charges. The evidence presented was deeply troubling and reflected the issues raised by residents in FirstPort properties in Plymouth.

FirstPort manage around 300,000 properties nationwide and in some cases, FirstPort’s rates have risen by more than 50% compared to the previous year, with no demonstrable improvement in the service provided to leaseholders.

Leaseholders deserve to know where their money is going, to have repairs completed on time, and to be treated with respect. The erosion of trust in FirstPort is not just a local issue, it’s a national one, and it demands urgent action.

Since November 2024, MPs have been working together to hold managing agents to account. We’ve summoned them to Parliament, met residents on site, and secured concessions such as extra management staff paid for out of managing agents’ pockets, delaying unpopular works, and compensating service charges when services have not been delivered. But it’s clear that more must be done.

At the inquiry session, MPs voiced support for the work this Government is doing to reform the leasehold system head on, with measures to improve service charge practices in leasehold properties. This includes proposals for greater transparency in service charges with standardised accounts, mandatory reserve funds, and easier routes to challenge unreasonable rises; enhanced accountability from managing agents with mandatory qualifications and enforced membership of professional bodies; and more power for residents to serve notice on poorly-performing managing agents.

This inquiry marks a significant step forward in holding FirstPort accountable. FirstPort must now demonstrate that they are serious about change, not just through words, but through meaningful action.

MPs will be writing directly to FirstPort to outline the complaints raised by witnesses and make fresh demands for improvement.

Leaseholders in Plymouth and across the country deserve better and we will continue to push for reforms that put their needs first.