Labour MP calls himself ‘good landlord’ amid allegations of ant infestations
A new Labour MP has said he prides himself on being a “good landlord” – despite allegations he rents out flats with black mould and ant infestations.
One tenant of Jas Athwal – the MP for Ilford South – told the BBC: “The ants are everywhere… They are on my kid’s body and on their clothes.” In one block of seven flats owned by the MP – a former leader of Redbridge Council in London – nearly half the tenants said they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould, the broadcaster said.
According to Parliament’s register of members’ interests, Mr Athwal co-owns 15 properties he rents out in London. The portfolio makes the Labour MP one of Parliament’s biggest landlords.
He defended himself as a landlord and said his properties were managed by an agency that is known for “excellent customer service”. Across the properties visited by the broadcaster, fire alarms were seen hanging loose from the ceiling and a washing machine had been dumped next to a staircase.
Black mould was reportedly growing on one bathroom ceiling, with the resident saying: “The whole ceiling would be black if we didn’t clean it every few weeks.”
Andrew Boff, a Tory member of the London Assembly who has visited the flats, is calling for an investigation by Labour and Redbridge Council. I worry that there are people who are Jas Athwal’s tenants who are now frightened to speak for fear of being evicted,” he said. We’ve heard this time and time again about how the threat of eviction is used to excuse poor maintenance of properties,” he added.
In a statement, Mr Athwal told 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.
He added: “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.”
