Landlord Labour MP Jas Athwal has sacked his managing agent after tenants said they were living in flats with mould and ant infestation issues.
The BBC investigation into Athwal’s properties came after his party made a manifesto pledge to ‘take steps to decisively raise standards’ in the private rental sector.
Nearly half of people living in one tower block owned by the newly elected MP said they regularly had to wash their bathroom celings to get rid of mould.
One described ants crawling over their ‘kid’s body and on their clothes’.
Athwal was also accused of failing to sign up to a licensing scheme that he had introduced himself while serving as leader of Redbridge Council in London.
The Ilford South MP said he was ‘profoundly sorry’ that his tenants had been ‘let down’, and added that he ‘will be reviewing the property management and how matters are escalated going forward’.
In a series of posts on social media site X this morning, he wrote: ‘I am shocked and sickened by the series of problems that have come to light.
‘I had not been aware of these issues until this week, for which I am furious. I have immediately dismissed the managing agent of my properties.
‘As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured.’
The MP added that he would reimburse every resident who had to pay for repairs or renewals in one of his flats, and that he would be ‘conducting a survey’ to uncover all issues.
In 2018, Athwal – who remains a member of Redbridge Council – shared an article about a landlord being fined and said: ‘Rogue landlords, we are coming for you.’
Paul Canal, the council’s Conservative leader, told BBC News the MP’s position as a councillor was ‘untenable’ following the investigation and said he should resign ‘immediately’.
Athwal is believed to be the biggest landlord in the House of Commons, with 15 properties.
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