10:02 AM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago 28
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A Labour MP who describes himself as a “renters champion” and a “good landlord” has been forced to admit that his rental properties are plagued by ant infestations and black mould.
Jas Athwal, the newly-elected MP for Ilford South, owns 15 rental flats, making him the biggest landlord in the House of Commons.
An investigation by the BBC also reveals that despite some of Mr Athwal’s properties being in a selective licensing area in Redbridge, none of the seven properties have the required licence.
According to the BBC, nearly half of Mr Athwal’s tenants have to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould. One tenant claims he was threatened with eviction for further complaints about the mould in the flats.
When the BBC visited some of the properties, they found fire alarms hanging loose from the ceiling, and a washing machine dumped next to a set of stairs.
Mr Athwal has apologised and says that while his properties are managed by a letting agent, he will sack the agent within 48 hours. He also plans to personally apologise to each tenant and meet with them soon.
Andrew Boff, Conservative chair of the London Assembly, slammed Mr Athwal for failing to license his properties, pointing out that Mr Athwal was once the leader of Redbridge Council.
Mr Boff told the BBC: “Here we have a situation where somebody who is the leader of Redbridge Council, introduced a licensing scheme, which he told everybody else to sign up to, and he didn’t do it himself.”
Mr Boff adds the Labour party and Redbridge council must investigate the matter as soon as possible.
Generation Rent also criticises Mr Athwal for the conditions of his properties, saying that if proven, he should be banned from letting out homes.
The tenant campaign group said on X, formerly Twitter: “Shocking allegations that an MP is profiting from letting homes ridden with mould and infestations, without a legally required license.
“If proven, anyone putting renters at risk by dodging responsibilities should be banned from letting out homes.”
Mr Athwal did not respond to a request for interview but said in a statement to the BBC: “My properties are managed by an agency, selected for their quick response times and excellent customer service. This is evidenced by the long tenure of the tenants – over 87 years across 15 properties.
“I pride myself on being a good landlord and no tenants have ever been evicted. Repairs and improvements have been made to properties as recently as two weeks ago.
“To ensure tenants enjoy a secure, long-term home, rents are kept below market rate and, in many cases rents are frozen at the rate first agreed.
“I’m shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues.
“I know it’s my responsibility to have issues addressed as soon as they arise and have met the property management company to understand failures in communication.
“I’m profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down and will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward.”
On the licences, Mr Athwal said: “It was my understanding all the licences for my properties were up to date, but I have recently seen an email which shared that licences are due to expire. I am in the process of renewing all licences.”
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NewYorkie
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Sign Up11:33 AM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Blueskies at 02/09/2024 - 11:23
Shelter won't say anything. He's Labour.
Denise G
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Sign Up11:36 AM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Sally Robinson at 02/09/2024 - 11:30I read Mr Athwal's response - did you?
He maintains his properties are licensed and that the licenses 'are about to expire' and are in the process of being renewed!
Should we believe everything we read? If we do, then we are as bad as those who believe the generic shi@e written about all private landlords aren't we?
I suppose one version of this story must be untrue - but as of now I don't know which one ... do you?
Darren Peters
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Sign Up12:04 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Robin Guy at 02/09/2024 - 10:38
I'm curious about the BBC phrase,
"...not having the correct licencing..."
It implies a technical mistake where he might have done all the paperwork, fire safety and certification but somehow got a wrongly dated licence as opposed to not having any licence whatsoever.
I don't think you could accidentally get a selective licence rather than a mandatory licence for example.
Mike
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Sign Up12:05 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 02/09/2024 - 10:49
Exactly my point, Landlord cannot be responsible for the ill actions of tenants, I had a house empty for 10 years and not a single pore of Mould that grew, despite not heating the empty house in winter, it was empty because I was renovating it at my leisure and bought it outright so was not in a hurry to let it out, that washing machine is not in anyone's way, paraphs it was a spare machine as I often keep old machines to a side to be repaired and be ready to use again if needed, obviously it is a vendetta against the MP. Why don't BBC expose how current Government is tackling boats arriving at our shores and what plans have they made to stop influx of illegal migrants who are the type pf renters who run down properties as they do not know how to look after houses and cause conditions that attract vermin, ants, and what not.
Darren Peters
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Sign Up12:12 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Denise G at 02/09/2024 - 11:36
HMO licences are a public record.
https://propertylicensing.redbridge.gov.uk/online-application/public-register/
The BBC states, 'An investigation by the BBC also reveals that despite some of Mr Athwal’s properties being in a selective licensing area in Redbridge, none of the seven properties have the required licence.'
Searching Mr Athwal's name produces one property that has a licence so the BBC is factually incorrect.
Perhaps he has the others in a LtdCo and perhaps he doesn't have a licence for them.
Sam B
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Sign Up12:30 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 02/09/2024 - 12:04
I agree. Though you may be interested - there was a rent repayment order case where some landlord had a selective licence rather than a HMO licence and had to pay around 50% of the rent. This is despite the legislation stating if it fits the criteria they 'MAY' issue a rent repayment order.
Cider Drinker
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Sign Up12:39 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Denise G at 02/09/2024 - 11:36
If the BBC have reported incorrectly (not uncommon), I will look forward to Mr Athwal suing the BBC for defamation.
I’ll wait.
Smiley
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Sign Up13:41 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Blueskies at 02/09/2024 - 10:28
love the ants bit lol I hate bolitics, the media have @@@@ed landlords over big time, damp in flats of course nowt to do with the tenants, nor that washing machine, no licensing? well the flats should be confiscated and giving to the poor, just like all them mansions were supposed to be, after death duties destroyed not only the family but the folks who worked there, all imho xxx an no didnt vote for them nor the Tories lol xxx
Jason
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Sign Up13:45 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 02/09/2024 - 12:12
Only a few day nurseries in Derby/Essex in his LTD company.
Lets see how this all pans out.
Stella
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Sign Up15:19 PM, 2nd September 2024, About 2 days ago
IMHO tenants are the main culprits at causing damp problems.
When Lucy Powell was interviewed on TV yesterday about Jas Athwal she vehemently defended him saying he made a mistake and he is rectifying the problem with no mention of whether he had a licence or complied with any licence conditions.
She clearly wants this buried as soon as possible.
Lucy Powell was also very keen to point out that they would be shortly introducing the tenants rights bill and she insisted that it would be a much tougher bill than the renters reform bill introduced by the tories.
Where is this all going to end, we really need proper representation!