LONDON: A newly elected Labour British Sikh MP is accused of being a slum landlord after a BBC investigation claimed his tenants have been dwelling in flats infested with mould and fleas.
Athwal (60) was born in Punjab right into a Sikh household. He lived there till his household relocated to Ilford in 1970 when he was seven. In July he was elected as MP to signify Ilford South.He rents out 15 flats in London.
A BBC reporter went to go to his flats above a store in Redbridge, East London, and was met with black mould rising on the toilet ceilings, typically with ant infestations on prime, lights damaged, fireplace alarms hanging unfastened from the ceiling, and a washer dumped subsequent the steps. Tenants complained that each Athwal and his property agent have been unresponsive once they raised complaints and so they have been afraid of being evicted in the event that they spoke out.
“The ants are all over the place,” one resident stated, pointing to bugs climbing up a door body.
Athwal, who has been a councillor since 2010, was chief of Redbridge London Borough Council from 2014. He stepped down after profitable the Ilford South seat.
It was additionally unclear if he had the proper property licences required below a scheme he himself launched as Redbridge Council chief.
Chief of Redbridge Conservatives Paul Canal referred to as for an investigation into breaches of the code of conduct by Athwal, for him to resign as councillor, and for the Labour whip to be withdrawn. He additionally reported his managing agent to the police for threatening behaviour.
In a press release Athwal stated: “I’m proud to lease out houses with safe tenancies at below-market rents. I’m shocked on the reported situation of a variety of the properties and have requested the managing agent for a proof and speedy motion to rectify any points. I’m profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down. Repairs and upkeep will likely be accomplished swiftly. I’m within the strategy of renewing all licences.”
On Oct 11, 2018, Athwal had tweeted: “Rogue landlords, we’re coming for you.”
Athwal (60) was born in Punjab right into a Sikh household. He lived there till his household relocated to Ilford in 1970 when he was seven. In July he was elected as MP to signify Ilford South.He rents out 15 flats in London.
A BBC reporter went to go to his flats above a store in Redbridge, East London, and was met with black mould rising on the toilet ceilings, typically with ant infestations on prime, lights damaged, fireplace alarms hanging unfastened from the ceiling, and a washer dumped subsequent the steps. Tenants complained that each Athwal and his property agent have been unresponsive once they raised complaints and so they have been afraid of being evicted in the event that they spoke out.
“The ants are all over the place,” one resident stated, pointing to bugs climbing up a door body.
Athwal, who has been a councillor since 2010, was chief of Redbridge London Borough Council from 2014. He stepped down after profitable the Ilford South seat.
It was additionally unclear if he had the proper property licences required below a scheme he himself launched as Redbridge Council chief.
Chief of Redbridge Conservatives Paul Canal referred to as for an investigation into breaches of the code of conduct by Athwal, for him to resign as councillor, and for the Labour whip to be withdrawn. He additionally reported his managing agent to the police for threatening behaviour.
In a press release Athwal stated: “I’m proud to lease out houses with safe tenancies at below-market rents. I’m shocked on the reported situation of a variety of the properties and have requested the managing agent for a proof and speedy motion to rectify any points. I’m profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down. Repairs and upkeep will likely be accomplished swiftly. I’m within the strategy of renewing all licences.”
On Oct 11, 2018, Athwal had tweeted: “Rogue landlords, we’re coming for you.”
