A newly elected Labour MP has been accused of renting out flats with black mould and ant infestations.
Jas Athwal, the MP for Ilford South, owns 15 rental flats, according to a report by the BBC.
In one block of seven flats, nearly half the tenants said they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould, the report has claimed. A reporter for the corporation also claimed to have seen evidence of ant infestations in a number of the seven properties.
“The ants are everywhere,” one resident was quoted as saying, pointing to insects climbing up a door frame. “They are on my kid’s body and on their clothes.”
Another resident was reported saying they had been threatened with eviction by the letting agent if they complained about problems in their flat or started claiming benefits.
Athwal, 60, told the BBC he was a “renters’ champion”, adding that the properties were managed by an agency and that he had not been aware of these problems. He also denied any tenant had been threatened with eviction.
According to the Redbridge council website, Athwal requires a selective property licence to rent out the block of seven properties, a system Athwal introduced in December when he was the leader of the council. The BBC claimed that a search on the council’s public licence register does not show that the properties have a licence.
Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto included a commitment to “prevent private renters being exploited and discriminated against”.
The BBC claimed that tenants who had shown their reporter mould and ants inside the flats, and given interviews about the conditions, were then contacted by the property manager.
“After receiving these calls they became hesitant about talking to me. This appeared to me to be intimidation,” the BBC’s reporter Joe Pike claimed.
In a statement on Friday night, Athwal said he was “shocked” by the condition of his properties and that he was “profoundly sorry”.
“It was my understanding all the licences for my properties were up to date, but I have recently seen an email which shared that licences are due to expire, I am in the process of renewing all licences,” he said.
“I’m proud to rent out homes with secure tenancies at below-market rents.
“I want every one of my tenants to have excellent accommodation; I’m shocked at the reported condition of a number of the properties and have asked the managing agent for an explanation and immediate action to rectify any issues.”
A Redbridge council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation with these properties. In all cases, we expect properties that require a licence to apply for it. Where they do not have a licence, we will send notices and commence enforcement action.
“It is important that all landlords apply for their licences. This is about maintaining the standards of our selective licensing scheme and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people in Redbridge.”
The Labour party was approached for comment.
