MPs could be earning £2.2m in rent every year

Research from a campaign group shows that nearly 20% of Conservative MPs are landlords as the Renters’ Reform Bill nears publication.

The findings from 38Degrees highlight that MPs who own rental homes in England earned at least £1.67m last year in rent.

The group says that the private rented sector (PRS) is not ‘respectful’ or ‘fair’.

Calling for the sector to be reformed

The organisation is calling for the sector to be reformed ‘without delay’.

They want the Conservative Party to fulfil its 2019 election pledge to act and improve what it calls an ‘unfair’ and ‘unsafe’ system.

And nearly 39,000 people have now signed a petition demanding that the Renters Reform Bill is enacted.

MPs in the Cabinet have rental properties

In its research, 38Degrees found that five MPs who are in the Cabinet have rental properties in England.

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is one of them with seven apartments in Southampton.

The group says that MPs own 66 homes in London and with an average rent of £17,7000, the MPs could be earning £2.17m a year.

And 87 MPs have declared rental income of more than £10,000 from 167 homes in England.

‘Politicians who make money from renting property’

A spokesperson for 38Degrees said: “Politicians who make money from renting property are not breaking any laws, and there’s no accusation that they’re breaking any rules either.

“But MPs who make the laws face an extra duty, to their tenants as well as their constituents, to bring forward reform without delay.”

The spokesperson added: “With MPs almost four times more likely to be landlords than the rest of the population, and with five cabinet members and nearly one in five Conservative MPs earning rental income, we highlight the need for tenants’ voices to be heard at the top of government.

“Renters across the country will be watching and waiting ahead of an election at which the 13 million of them have potential to be kingmakers.”