Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to achieve a choosing landlord licence when renting out her dwelling in Dulwich, attracting some ire from the property business.
The breach occurred after she moved into No 11 Downing Avenue following Labour’s July 2024 election victory.
The problem has been blamed on Reeves’ lettings company, which apparently didn’t inform her she wanted a licence.
The issue got here to gentle on Wednesday when the Every day Mail approached the Chancellor for remark, after which Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met later that night.
Reeves wrote: “This was an inadvertent mistake. As quickly because it was delivered to my consideration, we took instant motion and have utilized for the licence.
“I sincerely apologise for this error and I’d be glad to reply any questions you’ll have.”
Phil Turtle, compliance director of Landlord Licensing & Defence stated Reeves has dedicated a strict legal responsibility crime underneath part 95 of the Housing Act 2004, with limitless fines if prosecuted in courtroom.
Alternatively can challenge a civil monetary penalty as much as £30,000 for a breach like Reeves’.
Turtle stated: “Councils deal with this as some of the heinous crimes doable and we see dozens of small landlords each week fined usually between £12,000 to £20,000 for this very same felony offence.
“Identical to dashing, it’s a strict legal responsibility crime and there’s no defence of “I didn’t know” or my letting agent didn’t inform me. Councils are completely cruel in prosecuting small landlords as a result of for them, fining landlords has change into a serious income stream.
“Will Reeve’s apology get her off the hook? It definitely wouldn’t get anybody else who rented out their former household dwelling and didn’t license it. Council’s see these landlords as low hanging fruit for his or her income.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined launching an investigation into Reeves’ housing dealings, saying an apology is “enough”.
