UK Chancellor Reeves Faces Potential £40,000 Tenant Payout Over Housing License Breach

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor and MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, has admitted to renting out her Dulwich family home without obtaining the required selective licence from Southwark Council, a legal requirement for landlords in certain areas. This breach could entitle her tenants to claim up to 12 months' rent back, potentially around £38,400 to £41,000, as per council rules and the Renters’ Rights Act. Southwark Council indicated it typically issues warnings and allows 21 days for landlords to apply for licenses before pursuing fines, and Reeves reportedly applied for the licence immediately after being notified. Opposition politicians have criticized Reeves, calling for enforcement action and inclusion on a rogue landlords register if found at fault, while the government has stated her apology and self-referral to ethics advisors are sufficient. The issue has drawn parallels to a previous case where a Southwark landlord was prosecuted and fined for similar licensing violations, underscoring the council's commitment to enforcing housing regulations. Southwark Council has not commented on the specifics of Reeves' case, but the situation highlights tensions over ministerial accountability and housing policy enforcement.