Labour MP Jas Athwal has sacked the company which manages his rental flats, after the BBC discovered black mould and ant infestations within the properties.
Mr Athwal mentioned he was “shocked and sickened” by the state of the flats, which had been being managed by an company he mentioned had been “chosen for his or her fast response instances and wonderful customer support.”
The MP for Ilford South owns 15 properties, making him the most important landlord within the Home of Commons.
When approached by the BBC by way of a spokesperson for Mr Athwal, the letting agent mentioned: “I’ve no assertion at the moment.”
The BBC discovered flats owned by Mr Athwal contained soiled communal areas, lights that didn’t work and fireplace alarms hanging unfastened from the ceiling.
In a single block of seven flats owned by Mr Athwal practically half the tenants mentioned they needed to repeatedly clear their toilet ceilings to take away mould.
An ant infestation was identified by one resident, who had bugs climbing up a door body and mentioned the ants had been on their little one’s physique and garments.
When Mr Athwal was first approached by the BBC on Friday, he mentioned he had not beforehand been conscious of those points and defended the letting agent, referred to by tenants as “Raymond”.
Later the identical day, he issued one other assertion saying he was “profoundly sorry” that his tenants had been let down and would guarantee repairs had been accomplished “swiftly”.
The MP additionally admitted his flats didn’t have the proper property licences required below a scheme he launched as Redbridge Council chief, having earlier claimed to the BBC that he had complied with the foundations.
Now, in a 3rd assertion, Mr Athwal says he’ll change the administration company inside 48 hours, including he “can be issuing every tenant with a private apology and assembly with them urgently”.
He mentioned: “I’m shocked and sickened by the sequence of issues which have come to gentle and I’m unreservedly sorry to all my tenants for the unhealthy expertise they’ve endured.
“I can be reimbursing each tenant that’s out of pocket for repairs or renewals they’ve needed to undertake.
“I can be issuing every tenant with a private apology and assembly with them urgently.”
Responding to requires Mr Athwal to stop as a councillor, Home of Commons chief Lucy Powell mentioned she understood he was “livid” as he “he didn’t know that is occurring in his housing inventory”.
Talking to Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, she mentioned: “I take at face worth what he mentioned in the previous couple of days and he is obtained to place that proper.
“He is completely obtained to place these issues proper and that is why he is sacked the managing agent, however I am not right here to defend his actions.”
Ms Powell added Labour was bringing ahead a “a lot strengthened” Renters Reform Invoice when parliament returns subsequent week to “deal with the scourge of unhealthy landlords”.
In 2018, Mr Athwal – who led Redbridge Council from 2014 till he grew to become an MP final month – shared an article a couple of native landlord being fined by the council, writing: “Rogue landlords, we’re coming for you.”
He’s nonetheless a councillor however stood down from his function as council chief following the final election, the place he stood on Labour’s 2024 manifesto included a dedication to “stop non-public renters being exploited and discriminated towards”.
