MIKE Amesbury has told Boris Johnson to ‘get a grip’ of the leasehold scandal.

The Weaver Vale MP raised the issue during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

Many new homebuyers across Cheshire West, including at new developments in Winnington, have bought leaseholds rather than freeholds.

This means they do not have control over the land that their home sits on and have to pay ‘ground rent’ plus fees for making changes to their property such as adding a conservatory.

Developers can sell off the freehold to a third party without notifying the resident, and that can see costs escalate as the new freeholder ramps up charges.

And Amesbury, who has been a longstanding advocate for leaseholder reform, has called on the Government to end the ‘feudal system’ which he says leaves people trapped in homes they cannot sell.

Speaking in the Commons, he said: “Eight consultations, millions of people are still caught by the leaseholding scandal, at what point is the Prime Minister going to get a grip and end this feudal system once and for all?”

Outside of the chamber, he added: “Banning new leaseholds does nothing to help those of my constituents who are already trapped by this practice.

“Each time the government pledges some kind of action then progress stalls again.

“We need actions and not words.”

In response to his question, the Prime Minister said: “He raises something of great importance to all of our constituents and we are delivering a very strong package of reforms.

“We will legislate to ban new leasehold houses, reduce future ground rents to zero in all but exceptional circumstances and we will close the legal loopholes that currently subject leaseholders to unacceptable costs.

“He raises a very important issue and believe me, we are on it right now.”

READ > Councillors give support to borough's leaseholders

The question from Mike Amesbury comes days after Cheshire West and Chester Council voted for a motion to lobby the Government for a national inquiry into the mis-selling of leaseholds.

Councillors also called for a a ban on new leaseholds, an end to ground rents, cheaper freeholds for leaseholders and stronger regulation.

Despite the well-documented problems, the number of leasehold properties continues to grow and is estimated to be between 4.3 and 6.6 million.