The Labour council running Southwark’s local authority in south London has chosen not to take enforcement action against Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The Chancellor failed to buy a selective licence when she let her townhouse in summer 2024, citing a failure on the part of her lettings agent.
Southwark’s Labour administration claims to have a zero tolerance policy for landlords breaking the rules but at a meeting last evening refused to take further action over Reeves’ failure to get a license.
Activist group ACORN staged a protest at the meeting in relation to the use of bailiffs, having previously staged a protest at the council’s offices over its refusal to take enforcement action against Reeves.
A Liberal Democrat pressed Labour on whether it would back Reeves’ tenants in seeking a Rent Repayment Order for the £38,000 rent paid during the period the property was unlicensed.
A council spokesperson replied by repeating the line that it did not take action if a landlord applies for a license within 21 days – but did not address the rent repayment order.
This article is taken from Landlord Today