Reeves Admits Unlicensed Dulwich Let, Faces Enforcement

Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitted she let her four‑bedroom Dulwich home after moving to 11 Downing Street without the required Southwark “selective” licence, apologised, and has applied for the licence; the property has been let since September 2024 for about £3,200 a month and she declared the income. Emails show her husband was told by the letting agent that a licence was needed and that the agent agreed to apply on their behalf before failing to do so, and Reeves had received permission from her mortgage lender to let. She referred the matter to parliamentary ethics advisers and informed Prime Minister Keir Starmer; the prime minister and independent adviser Sir Laurie Magnus found no evidence of bad faith and advised no further ministerial‑code action, though the prime minister said it was “regrettable” Reeves did not initially disclose all emails. Southwark Council could still pursue enforcement, including rent‑repayment orders for the period since September 2024 (about £3,200 a month, roughly £38,400 to date), civil fines (reports cite up to around £30,000) or placement on a rogue‑landlord database. The episode has prompted sharp criticism from opponents, landlords and commentators, widespread social‑media mockery and renewed scrutiny ahead of the Chancellor’s forthcoming Budget.