British-Indian Labour MP accused of renting flats infested with fleas, ants

A BBC investigation has revealed that tenants in properties owned by Jas Athwal, a British-Indian Sikh Labour MP, were living in dire conditions, plagued by mould, fleas and ants. The newly elected, 60-year-old Indian-origin MP has been accused of being a “slum landlord”.

The BBC investigation revealed that tenants in some of Athwal’s 15 rental properties in London were living in some of the worst conditions possible. As the owner of these 15 flats, Athwal is the biggest landlord in the UK House of Commons.

Athwal, who was born in Punjab and moved to Ilford with his family in 1970, has been a councillor since 2010 and previously served as the leader of the Redbridge London Borough Council in the UK.

A BBC reporter visited flats owned by Athwal above a shop in Redbridge, East London, and found black mould on bathroom ceilings, ant infestations, broken lights, and fire alarms hanging loose. A washing machine was even dumped near the stairs.

“The ants are everywhere,” one tenant described, pointing to the insects crawling up a door frame.

Tenants said their complaints to Athwal and his property agent were ignored, and they feared eviction if they spoke out.

RENTAL FLATS LACK PROPER LICENCES

Athwal has now acknowledged that his flats lack the proper property licences required under a scheme he himself implemented while leading Redbridge Council.

Initially, he had told the BBC that he was in compliance with the regulations.

Paul Canal, the leader of Redbridge Conservatives, has called for an investigation into potential breaches of the code of conduct by Athwal.

BRITISH-INDIAN MP PROMISES TO REIMBURSE TENANTS FOR REPAIRS

Athwal expressed his shock at the reported conditions and apologised for the failings.

“I’m proud to rent out homes with secure tenancies at below-market rents. 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. I’m profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down. Repairs and maintenance will be done swiftly. I am in the process of renewing all licences,” Athwal was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Ironically, Athwal had previously tweeted in October 2018, “Rogue landlords, we are coming for you.”

On September 1, Athwal tweeted an apology for the inconvenience.

He also stated he would conduct a “survey of my tenants” and “will reimburse every tenant that is out of pocket for repairs or renewals”.

“I will be reimbursing every tenant that is out of pocket for repairs or renewals they have had to undertake. I will be conducting a survey of my tenants, so that all issues are uncovered and I am confident each one is living in secure, comfortable homes,” Athwal added.