Labour MP Jas Athwal sacks letting agent after mould scandal

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 stated he was “shocked and sickened” by the state of the flats, which had been being managed by an company he stated had been “chosen for his or her fast response occasions and glorious customer support.”

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

When approached by the BBC, the letting agent stated: “I’ve no assertion right now.”

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 stated they needed to usually clear their rest room ceilings to take away mould.

An ant infestation was identified by one resident, who had bugs climbing up a door body and stated the ants had been on their little one’s physique and garments.

When Mr Athwal was first approached by the BBC on Friday, he stated 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 right property licences required below a scheme he launched as Redbridge Council chief, having earlier claimed to the BBC that he had complied with the principles.

Now, in a 3rd assertion, Mr Athwal says he’ll substitute the administration company inside 48 hours, including he “will likely be issuing every tenant with a private apology and assembly with them urgently”.

He stated: “I’m shocked and sickened by the collection of issues which have come to gentle and I’m unreservedly sorry to all my tenants for the unhealthy expertise they’ve endured.

“I will likely be reimbursing each tenant that’s out of pocket for repairs or renewals they’ve needed to undertake.

“I will likely 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 stated she understood he was “livid” as he “he didn’t know that is occurring in his housing inventory”.

Chatting with Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, she stated: “I take at face worth what he stated in the previous couple of days and he is received to place that proper.

“He is completely received 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 “sort out 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 few 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 position as council chief following the final election, the place he stood on Labour’s 2024 manifesto included a dedication to “forestall personal renters being exploited and discriminated in opposition to”.