A renters’ union has called on Labour MP Jas Athwal to step down from the House of Commons after tenants of flats he owns as a landlord complained about mould and ant infestations.
One described ants crawling over their ‘kid’s body and on their clothes’.
Nearly half of people living in one tower block owned by the newly elected MP for Ilford South said they regularly had to wash their bathroom ceilings to get rid of mould.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Keir Starmer described the condition of flats owned by Athwal as ‘unacceptable’ and said it was ‘not good enough’.
Athwal announced on Saturday he had sacked his managing agent following a BBC investigation into his properties.
The reports raised awkward questions for Labour, which made a manifesto pledge to ‘take steps to decisively raise standards’ in the private rental sector.
Asked if it was good enough when housing is one of the government’s priorities, the prime minister told reporters: ‘No, it’s not good enough. It’s unacceptable for any landlord, and I’ll be really clear about that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a Labour MP or anybody else, it’s unacceptable.
‘What’s happened in this case is this MP has now recognised that, is taking the necessary measures to put it right.
‘The sooner that’s done, the better, but I’m not going to pretend to you or anybody else that this is in any way acceptable.’
Athwal told BBC News 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’.
He later confirmed he had parted ways with the management agency.
Hester Sullivan, a spokesperson for the London Renters’ Union (LRU), said the group’s members would struggle to believe parliament is serious about fixing the housing crisis if Athwal remains in the House of Commons.
She said: ‘Athwal left his tenants facing toxic mould and dangerous disrepair and has broken laws on licensing, which is a key part of the tenant safety system.’
The LRU also urged London’s Redbridge Council to investigate the man who once served as its leader over alleged violations of housing law.
The MP said 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.’
Tom Darling, Director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: ‘Loose fire alarms, ants, black mould, and threats of eviction for tenants that dared to complain – the appalling conditions experienced by Jas Athwal’s tenants are all too common for renters across the country.
‘It is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to provide this standard of housing – let alone a sitting MP. We must see urgent and wide-reaching reforms to get a grip on the renting crisis and tackle negligent landlords.’
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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