Labour MP under fire over unlicensed and mould-ridden flats

Labour MP under fire over unlicensed and mould-ridden flats

10:02 AM, 2nd September 2024, About 3 months ago 36

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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.

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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NewYorkie

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11:07 AM, 7th September 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris @ Possession Friend at 03/09/2024 - 17:59
Someone needs to advise them on how to go about getting a RRO. Shelter? Generation Rent? Council [ha! ha!]?

NewYorkie

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11:12 AM, 7th September 2024, About 3 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Smiley at 03/09/2024 - 11:36
No Kangaroo Court needed. He was Leader of the council and implemented the new Licensing Scheme. He portrayed himself as the 'renters champion' leading up to his election as MP. He is, by all the usual measurements, a rogue landlord, and should face the same music as any other landlord. He gives us all a bad name.

PH

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11:21 AM, 7th September 2024, About 3 months ago

Cmon TTK, set a prescedence by heavily fining this piece of ***** and kick him out. If you can do it in Brighton you can do it here or is it another case of 'do as I say not as I do ?'

Stella

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18:07 PM, 7th September 2024, About 2 months ago

That is wishful thinking!

Labour want this story buried asap.

If it were any other landlord there would be an outcry from Shelter and all the other tenant organisations.

I was hoping that the the NRLA and some of the other landlord organisations would have made a much bigger fuss about this especially as six years ago Mr Jas Athwal MP promised to come after rogue landlords.
The BBC also found seven unlicensed properties that were owned by him in Redbridge.
He will probably be treated like a naughty boy and given a slap on the wrist or have to spend time on the naughty step.

Chris @ Possession Friend

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20:34 PM, 7th September 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 07/09/2024 - 09:03
I have helped Landlords and Tenants negotiate and resolve problems, but it takes both sides willing to engage. -

Contact me to discuss further ?

Smiley

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20:49 PM, 7th September 2024, About 2 months ago

Great to see property managing companies at last held accountable for letting landlords down. Eck some charge 20 per cent. The headline should read Management company let down landlord and ordered to reimburse fees and in future teach tenants how to use ant spray, not dump things in the stairwell, control damp mould and social areas by cleaning, keeping ventilated etc, and staying on top of the gas EICR licensing etc. ...its a disgrace I tell ya 😊xxx

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