London Renters’ Union requires landlord MP to resign

The London Renters’ Union (LRU) has known as on Labour MP Jas Athwal to face down after a BBC investigation discovered black mould and ant infestations in his rental properties.

The union, which has 7,000 members throughout the capital, has additionally written to Redbridge Council urging it to analyze its former chief over what it known as “housing regulation violations”.

The MP for Ilford South owns 15 properties, making him the most important landlord within the Home of Commons.

He beforehand stated he was he was “shocked and sickened” by the state of the flats and that he had stopped utilizing the providers of the company that managed the properties.

When requested concerning the case earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated: “It’s not adequate. It’s unacceptable for any landlord, and I’ll be actually clear about that. It doesn’t matter whether or not it’s a Labour MP or anyone else, it’s unacceptable.”

BBC Information additionally discovered Mr Athwal’s flats had soiled communal areas, defective lights, free hearth alarms.

A tenant reported an ant infestation affecting their baby, whereas one other stated they have been warned of eviction in the event that they claimed advantages.

Mr Athwal additionally admitted his flats lacked the required licences underneath a scheme he launched as Redbridge Council chief, regardless of earlier claiming compliance.

Hester Sullivan, a spokesperson for the LRU, stated: “Athwal left his tenants dealing with poisonous mould and harmful disrepair and has damaged legal guidelines on licensing, which is a key a part of the tenant security system.

“Athwal has additionally admitted to refusing to let loose properties to renters who obtain housing profit, a apply that stops many low-income individuals from accessing satisfactory housing.”

She added that renters wouldn’t have belief in Parliament’s capability to resolve the nationwide housing disaster have been Mr Athwal to stay an MP.

In response to the allegation about not accepting tenants receiving advantages, Mr Athwal instructed BBC London he at present rents to people who find themselves in receipt of housing profit.

“In my earlier feedback I used to be referring to tenants being positioned immediately by Redbridge Council particularly; it’s this battle of curiosity I used to be stopping whereas renting properties whereas serving because the chief of the council,” he stated.

The Ilford South MP has additionally stated he’ll reimburse any tenants who’re out of pocket for repairs to the properties and that he might be surveying his renters to handle any points.

On Saturday, Redbridge Council’s Conservative chief Paul Canal known as on Mr Athwal to step down as a councillor – a task he has stored since turning into an MP – and urged the council’s officers to analyze.

A spokesperson stated the council was dedicated to a “truthful and constant course of for each landlord making use of to the selective licensing scheme”, including that it might “proceed to work with landlords to make sure that they’re compliant and their properties are in a situation appropriate for tenants.”