A newly elected Labour MP, Jas Athwal, has been accused of renting out flats with black mould and ant infestations. According to a report by the BBC, nearly half of the tenants in one block of seven flats owned by Athwal claimed they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould, and evidence of ant infestations was also reported. Some residents alleged they had been threatened with eviction if they complained about problems in their flat or started claiming benefits. Athwal, who described himself as a “renters’ champion,” stated that the properties were managed by an agency and he was not aware of these issues. The BBC also reported discrepancies in the licensing of the properties, as they did not appear on the council’s public licence register. The tenants who spoke to the BBC about the poor conditions in the flats were allegedly contacted by the property manager, leading to concerns of intimidation. Athwal defended himself by stating that repairs and improvements had been made recently, and that all his properties were in compliance with the landlord licence scheme. The Labour party, Athwal, and Redbridge council have been approached for comment by the Guardian.
Labour MP accused of renting out ant-infested flats with black mould | Labour
A newly elected Labour MP has been accused of renting out flats with black mould and ant infestations.
Jas Athwal, the MP for Ilford South, owns 15 rental flats, according to a report by the BBC.
In one block of seven flats, nearly half the tenants said they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould, the report has claimed. A reporter for the corporation also claimed to have seen evidence of ant infestations in a number of the seven properties.
“The ants are everywhere,” one resident was quoted as saying, pointing to insects climbing up a door frame. “They are on my kid’s body and on their clothes.”
Another resident was reported saying they had been threatened with eviction by the letting agent if they complained about problems in their flat or started claiming benefits.
Athwal told the BBC he was a “renters’ champion” , adding that the properties were managed by an agency and that he had not been aware of these problems. He also denied any tenant had been threatened with eviction.
According to the Redbridge council website, Athwal requires a selective property licence to rent out the block of seven properties, a system Athwal introduced in December when he was the leader of the council. The BBC claimed that a search on the council’s public licence register does not show that the properties have a licence.
Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto included a commitment to “prevent private renters being exploited and discriminated against”.
The BBC claimed that tenants who had shown their reporter mould and ants inside the flats, and given interviews about the conditions, were then contacted by the property manager.
“After receiving these calls they became hesitant about talking to me. This appeared to me to be intimidation,” the BBC’s reporter Joe Pike claimed.
Athwal 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.
“Every Redbridge rental property I own is in full compliance with the landlord licence scheme, and have been since its creation. Landlords are contacted by the council when licences are due for renewal, this has not yet occurred for my properties but licences will be renewed when the notices are issued.”
Athwal, the Labour party and Redbridge council have been approached by the Guardian for comment.
Read the full story on www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/30/labour-mp-accused-of-renting-out-ant-infested-flats-with-black-mould