Rachel ‘Double Standards’ Reeves rented out family home without a selective licence
5 months ago | 124 comments
Rachel Reeves was warned twice about needing a selective licence
10:32 AM, 3rd November 2025, 5 months ago
33
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was warned by not one but two letting agents that she required a licence to rent out her Dulwich home, the Mail on Sunday reports.
Yet she went ahead and let the property illegally for £3,200 a month.
The fresh revelation piles more pressure on the Chancellor, who had claimed to the Prime Minister she was unaware of the legal requirement.
The reports that before Ms Reeves and her husband engaged Harvey & Wheeler to manage their South London home, they had also spoken to the prestigious agency Knight Frank, which reportedly told them about the licensing rules.
Despite this, the property was later rented out without the necessary selective licence.
Prime Minister must investigate
Emails revealed last week between Ms Reeves’ husband and Harvey & Wheeler showed detailed conversations about the requirement to obtain a licence, contradicting her earlier insistence to Sir Keir Starmer that she did not know she was breaking the law.
A Knight Frank spokesperson told the newspaper: “It is standard procedure to notify all clients of their legal and regulatory obligations when letting a property.”
The latest disclosure raises further doubts about Ms Reeves’ version of events and her claim that she was unaware of the rules.
Questions about Chancellor’s conduct
Shadow Treasury Minister Gareth Davies said: “Each day brings fresh questions about Rachel Reeves’ account.
“This latest revelation casts serious doubt on her claim not to have known about the need for a licence.
“Her story seems to shift with every explanation. The Prime Minister must now get to the bottom of this and order a full investigation without delay.”
Sir Keir has already reprimanded his Chancellor for failing to review the correspondence with Harvey & Wheeler before claiming innocence, but so far insists there is ‘no need’ for further sanction.
Southwark won’t act
Southwark Council has confirmed that no action will be taken against Ms Reeves despite the breach.
Normally, landlords renting without a licence can face fines of up to £30,000 or even prosecution under the Housing Act 2004.
A council spokesperson said: “Enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.”
The Labour-run authority, which holds 48 of 63 council seats, added that when it becomes aware of an unlicensed property, it issues a warning letter giving the landlord 21 days to apply.
Tenants claim back rent
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports that tenants across the country have begun contacting legal charities about claiming back rent from unlicensed landlords.
Justice for Tenants, a charity endorsed by Southwark Council, said calls about rent repayment orders had risen sharply since the story broke.
Outreach lead Al McClenahan said: “Our helpline services have seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries from tenants who discovered their landlord is unlicensed following news about the Chancellor’s own failure to license her property.
“Now, a lot of these callers have correctly identified that their landlord lacks a licence but misunderstand the law as their property isn’t covered by licensing rules.
“However, many concerned tenants do live in areas with additional HMO or Selective Licensing, meaning they could take action against their landlord – and get up to 12 months’ rent repaid.”
Tags:
Chancellor scandal, Dulwich, Housing Act 2004, Justice for Tenants, Rachel Reeves, rent repayment orders, rental licence, Southwark Council, UK Landlords
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Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 88
5:20 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 03/11/2025 – 14:25
Do I vote labour? No! Never have, never will. [Hence my comment that they inherited a mess and have made it worse.]
Like most professional landlords I’m a (hopefully caring) capitalist. Though I couldn’t bring myself to vote tory last election! So Lib Dem for me last time – who won in our constituency after years of the (imo) obnoxious and ineffective John Redwood.
My point is simple – rightly or wrongly, there’s a 21-day period for you to apply for a license in Southwark, once one is found to be missing. Reeves should be held accountable according to the rules of that council…nothing more, nothing less.
Calling for her to be hung, drawn and quartered is ridiculous. Should we want that for a fellow landlord?
I’m actually impressed Southwark is so understanding over this serious lapse, given the overwhelming anti-landlord rhetoric out there.
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 763
5:23 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
She knew she needed a license and didn’t get one. She should be put on Southwark’s rogue landlord database – yes, their website says they have one
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 88
5:26 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 03/11/2025 – 16:53
“Many landlords also have demanding jobs, are held to account when they slip up, and don’t have an entire Treasury to help them.”
She has been held to account according to Southwark’s protocols – just like you would if you made the same mistake in that area.
Are you seriously arguing for harsher treatment of LLs? We LLs should be happy the council have been so understanding.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 88
5:31 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 03/11/2025 – 17:23
“She knew she needed a license and didn’t get one. She should be put on Southwark’s rogue landlord database – yes, their website says they have one”
Don’t disagree! It was a very serious lapse – and she should be highlighted as a landlord of concern and monitored/inspected accordingly.
But I don’t think she shouldn’t face tougher sanctions than are already set out by Southwark.
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
6:47 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 03/11/2025 – 13:42
Once again, they all p*** in the same pot !
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
6:49 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 03/11/2025 – 17:31
Using your logic then, Angela Raynor should have paid the £40k she owed and stayed on as Deputy Prime Minister. After all it was an easy mistake to make, she had a very busy job as Deputy PM at the time. I can see why you’re a Lib Dem voter 😂
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 317
7:23 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Interestingly enough there is currently only one property listed on the road with EPC D rating, near to where she owns her house, which has a selective property licence issued by Southwark on 1st Sept 2025. It lists the address but not the licence holder which is odd as most other councils do!!
I wonder how that LL feels about Reeves getting an additional 1 year ‘ free licence period’ assuming it does not get backdated to the date she should have had a licence i.e. 2024. So to be fair to LLs in Southwark who signed up in time is to give her a 4 year licence not FIVE.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
8:10 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 03/11/2025 – 17:31
Using your logic then, Angela Raynor should have paid the £40k she owed and stayed on as Deputy Prime Minister. After all it was an easy mistake to make, she had a very busy job as Deputy PM at the time. I can see why you’re a Lib Dem voter 😂
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
8:41 PM, 3rd November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Rogers at 03/11/2025 – 11:37
I have raised a Complaint with Southwark, asking what action they have taken against other Landlords without a License.
Member Since November 2025 - Comments: 1
8:54 PM, 7th November 2025, About 5 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Rogers at 03/11/2025 – 11:37
Sadly, I have direct experience of Southwark council and I was most definitely not given any notification nor a 21 day grace period.