A Labour MP who is also a landlord in London has apologised over the weekend after a BBC investigation uncovered damp, mould and ant infestation problems within his property.

Jas Athwal, who owns 15 properties in Ilford within the borough of Redbridge, has also said he is replacing his managing agent after council records showed he did not hold the licences required for 13 of the properties under the councils’ selective licensing scheme.

The investigation is embarrassing for Athwal particularly because in recent years while holding the office of council leader, he often issued statements warning rogue landlords that they faced significant consequences.

But after the BBC talked to several of his tenants within properties in Ilford, most of whom rent homes above shops and other commercial premises on the busy high street, it emerged that many of their homes have suffered mould problems as well as ant infestations.

The council’s licencing register for its HMO and selective licencing schemes also show that the licences for properties owned by Athal in Ilford have not been renewed since they expired in April and May this year.

£860 licence

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 for each property.

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.

Athal has now said he will replace the managing agent immediately, reimburse any tenants who have spent money on repairs and will also apologise personally to each one face to face. He also said he was ‘shocked and sickened’ by the actions of his agent and the mould and damp within some of the properties and that he was ‘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”.