Chancellor Rachel Reeves unlawfully rented out her family home without a licence, according to reports tonight.
Her cabinet role is said to be in jeopardy after she referred herself to the government’s ethics adviser and admitted what she described as an “inadvertent mistake” to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
It has emerged that, after moving into 11 Downing Street, Reeves began renting out her property in Dulwich, south-east London, for around £3,200 per month last year.
However, she failed to obtain a rental licence – a breach of housing regulations.
Southwark Council requires private landlords in certain parts of the borough, including the area where Reeves’s home is located, to hold a “selective” licence before letting their properties.
It is claimed that Reeves used a letting agency but was not told the house was in an area that needed a “selective licence” to rent the property.
A spokesperson for Reeves said it was an “inadvertent mistake” and she has now applied for the licence.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a “full investigation”.
In a social media post, Badenoch said if the chancellor broke the law, the prime minister must “show he has the backbone to act”.
A spokesperson for Rachel Reeves said: “Since becoming chancellor Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.
“She had not been made aware of the licencing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.
“This was an inadvertent mistake and in the spirit of transparency she has made the prime minister, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware.”
EYE NEWSFLASH: Angela Rayner resigns from government over tax affairs
Read the orginal article: https://propertyindustryeye.com/eye-newsflash-chancellor-referred-to-ethics-watchdog-for-unlicensed-rental-home/
