Following a meeting with local people living at Holcroft Court, Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, spoke out in the House of Commons to highlight their concerns and raise awareness around the difficulties they face obtaining an EWS1 form from their landlord, Westminster City Council.
In a question to Penny Mordaunt MP, Leader of the House of Commons, Nickie said,
"At a meeting with Holcroft Court residents in Fitzrovia last week, I was concerned to hear of the myriad problems they are having with their landlord, Westminster City Council, including the failure to secure an EWS1 fire safety certificate, which means they cannot sell properties and cannot remortgage.
"Will the Leader of the House consider asking one of her ministerial colleagues to make a statement to the House outlining how important it is to ensure that landlords, including local authorities, know the importance of, and the obligations they have on fire safety?"
Responding, Penny Mordaunt MP replied,
"This is obviously a critical matter and I am very sorry to hear about the circumstances in my hon. Friend’s constituency. She will know that the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is very focused on ensuring that landlords deliver on their obligations to their tenants and that local authorities know what their obligations are. The next questions when she can raise this matter are on 5 June, but given its importance I will also write today on my hon. Friend’s behalf to ensure that Ministers are apprised of the situation."
