Labour MP under fire over unlicensed and mould-ridden flats

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.

Tenant threatened with eviction

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.

Banned from letting out homes

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.”

I am profoundly sorry

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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