Landlords urged to check compliance after Rachel Reeves licensing scandal

As controversy continues to engulf the government over property law breaches, lettings expert Leaders is reminding landlords to stay on top of their legal responsibilities.

The call comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confessed to renting out her London home without the necessary selective licence from Southwark Council.

It’s the latest in a string of high-profile compliance lapses among senior politicians.

Earlier this year, Rushanara Ali stepped down as Minister for Homelessness after reports emerged that she had refused to renew her tenants’ tenancy before re-listing the same property at a higher price.

Angela Rayner also resigned from her roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary following an ethics probe into her underpayment of stamp duty on an £800,000 Hove flat.

She had paid £30,000 when she should have paid closer to £70,000 under higher-rate rules.

The investigation by Sir Laurie Magnus found she breached the ministerial code by failing to seek proper tax advice.

Landlord legal responsibilities

Now Allison Thompson, the firm’s national lettings managing director, says that these cases show how even those who help shape housing policy can fall foul of the very laws they oversee.

Failing to obtain the correct licence, missing safety checks or neglecting documentation can all lead to significant penalties, rent repayment orders and public embarrassment.

She said: “This situation underlines the importance of understanding your legal responsibilities as a landlord.

“Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about maintaining trust and ensuring tenants live in safe, well-managed homes.”

Ms Thompson added: “Our advice is to check your property licences, keep your safety certificates current and review your documentation regularly.

“The cost of getting it wrong is far greater than the effort it takes to get it right – knowledge isn’t optional anymore, it’s risk management.”

A guide for Rachel Reeves

To help prevent similar missteps, Leaders has released a compliance checklist covering essential landlord duties.

These include confirming local licensing requirements, obtaining consent to let, providing an Energy Performance Certificate rated at least E and keeping safety certificates up to date.

Landlords must also protect deposits in an approved scheme within 30 days, verify a tenant’ Right to Rent in England, issue the correct documents at the start of each tenancy, and follow the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Proper maintenance under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is also a legal obligation, as is accurate tax reporting under Making Tax Digital rules.

Leaders’ guidance warns that failure to meet these standards could make eviction notices invalid or expose landlords to financial penalties.

A detailed version of the checklist, including advice on inspections, data handling, and ongoing compliance, is available in the firm’s full online guide.