Managing agent sacked by landlord over missing licences and damp
Agent looking after many of MP Jas Athwal's properties in Ilford, London, has come under scrutiny after complaints about damp, mould, ant infestations and a lack of licences.
A letting agency in London has been sacked by its landlord client after a BBC investigation into conditions at a dozen or more properties owned by recently-elected MP Jas Athwal.
This follows an investigation by the broadcaster over the weekend into the portfolio of properties owned by the Labour politician, who, until recently was also the leader of the local council.
During his tenure as leader of Redbridge, he has in the past been quoted on numerous occasions within official statements warning ‘rogue landlords’ not to flout licencing and housing quality regulations, warning them they face significant fines if caught and that he was ‘coming after them’.
But after the BBC talked to several of his tenants within properties in Ilford, most of whom rented homes above shops and other commercial premises on the busy high street (main image), it emerged that many of the properties have suffered mould problems as well as ant infestations.
Not renewed
The Neg has also seen the council’s licencing register for its HMO and selective licensing schemes and all of the licences for properties owned by Athal on the road and elsewhere have not been renewed since they expired in April and May this year.
Redbridge’s selective scheme, which covers 17 boroughs, was renewed recently so landlords have been required to once again apply for a five-year licence costing £860.
Following the BBC investigation, Athal, who is now MP for Ilford South, has blamed his unnamed managing agent for both the problems within the properties and for the lack of licencing.
Replace agent
After The Times claimed that several tenants had been called and warned not to speak to journalists, Athal has now said all tenants are free to talk to whom they choose and says he will replace the managing agent immediately and reimburse any tenants who have spent money on repairs and will also apologise personally to each one face to face, saying he was ‘shocked and sickened’ by the actions of his agent and the mould and damp within some of the properties and is ‘profoundly sorry’.
A statement released by him says: “As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured”.
Parliament’s register of MPs’ interest record Athal having 15 properties in and around Ilford and of these 13 require a licence with seven on Ilford’s High Street while a further four are on Kingswood Road, a 12th on Oakwood Gardens plus one on Castleton Road. None of the properties, council records show, have current licences.
Typical politician lies lies lies, a week ago he was extolling the virtues & high standards of his agent. They never take responsibility for their indiscretions & always look for someone else to blame. Are we supposed to believe he never spoke to his agent & had no knowledge of the appalling state of his many properties? He’s a typical ‘rogue’ Landlord trousering the cash & ignoring the complaints of his tenants. His hypocrisy is off the charts. No doubt GR, Shelter & the other Marxist time wasters will lay off him because he’s Labour. Meantime us decent, caring, honest Landlords will get viciously taxed by his awful party & tarred with his disgusting brush!
I was always taught that you can outsource the work but not the responsibility. In his position the least I would have done is check that my houses had the required licences because I would not want to be put in an embarrassing position. It will be interesting to see how this case progresses though.