MP landlord ‘ants’ debacle shows licensing must be enforced properly says leader

Letting agency accreditation scheme Safeagent has called for effective enforcement of licensing schemes after an MP sacked his managing agent.

Jas Athwal announced he was was letting the agent looking after a dozen or more of his rental properties go after a BBC investigation found many suffered from mould problems and ant infestations.

Athwal, recently-elected as MP for Ilford South, was previously leader of Redbridge Council, which introduced HMO licensing schemes in the area.

“As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured”, a statement released by Athwal read.

Enforced

Now Safeagent is calling on the Government to ensure that membership of licensing schemes is enforced as part of any new legislation.

This sorry tale brings us back, once again, to enforcement.”

Isobel Thomson, chief executive of Safeagent (main picture), says: “This sorry tale brings us back, once again, to enforcement. If the MP’s properties were not registered with the local licensing scheme, why did the council not follow up?

“Was the agent part of a Client Money Protection Scheme, and accredited by a robust organisation?

New law

“Any landlord engaging the services of a letting agent should check that they fully meet all the legal requirements, such as being part of a CMP scheme if they are holding clients’ money, and also registered with a redress scheme,” she says.

She says the new Renters’ Rights Bill must include effective enforcement.

“Otherwise, the system will be as open to abuse as it currently appears to be, and will not fulfil the purpose of licensing nor deliver any benefits for tenants.”