Labour MP Jas Athwal Faces Backlash Over Poorly Maintained Rental Properties
The newly-elected Labour MP for Ilford South, Jas Athwal, is under scrutiny for the subpar conditions of the flats he rents out in London. Athwal, who co-owns a total of 18 rental properties, 15 of which are residential, has come under fire after tenants reported issues such as black mould and ant infestations in their rented accommodations.
Redbridge Council, where Athwal previously served as leader until his election to Parliament in July, has been urged to investigate the properties owned by the MP. Journalists and a member of the City Hall visited the flats and spoke to tenants about the deplorable conditions they were living in.
Despite Athwal’s self-proclaimed title as a “renters’ champion,” tenants in one block of seven flats owned by the MP revealed that they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould. The BBC reported evidence of ant infestations in several properties, with insects crawling on door frames and even on residents’ bodies and clothes.
Residents described communal areas in the properties as dirty, with non-functioning lights, loose fire alarms, and abandoned appliances strewn about. One tenant shared that their family member was constantly scrubbing black mould from the bathroom ceiling to prevent it from spreading, while another mentioned the ongoing struggle to keep the mould at bay.
The BBC’s investigation revealed that many tenants were hesitant to speak out for fear of eviction, with some claiming they had been threatened with eviction by the letting agent if they complained about the living conditions or started claiming benefits. This intimidation tactic further compounded the tenants’ distress and reluctance to seek help.
In response to the allegations, Athwal expressed shock at the reported condition of his properties and apologized to the tenants for being let down. He stated that the properties were managed by an agency and that he was not aware of the problems faced by the tenants. Athwal also mentioned that he avoided renting to tenants receiving housing benefits to prevent conflicts of interest with his former role as the leader of Redbridge council.
However, Conservative chair of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff, raised concerns about the situation and called for an investigation by the Labour Party and Redbridge Council. Boff, who visited the flats and spoke to residents about their living conditions, expressed worry that tenants were afraid to speak out due to fear of eviction.
Boff also questioned whether Athwal’s rental properties were compliant with the selective property license scheme introduced during Athwal’s tenure as council leader. The properties in question did not appear on the council’s public register of licensed properties, raising doubts about their adherence to the regulations.
In response to Boff’s concerns, Athwal assured that all his rental properties were in full compliance with the landlord license scheme and that licenses would be renewed promptly when due. He acknowledged the need for immediate action to rectify any issues and promised to review the property management and communication processes to prevent further lapses.
Athwal emphasized his commitment to providing excellent accommodation for his tenants and highlighted his track record as a renters’ champion. He cited his efforts in implementing stringent landlord licensing schemes and advocating for tenants’ rights, including campaigns to abolish Section 21 evictions.
Moving forward, Athwal pledged to address repairs and maintenance issues swiftly and invited tenants to provide updates to journalists on the progress. He reiterated his dedication to ensuring a secure and comfortable living environment for all tenants under his care.
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