Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has acknowledged renting out her family residence without the required license, in contravention of local regulations.
Reeves has informed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the independent ethics advisor, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding the oversight, which was initially reported by the Daily Mail.
Following her election victory last year, Reeves relocated from her Southwark home to a flat in Downing Street.
Reportedly, the Chancellor utilized a letting agency but was not advised that the property was situated in an area mandating a “selective license” for rental purposes.
A representative for Reeves stated that the situation was an “inadvertent mistake,” and that she has since applied for the necessary license.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a “full investigation” into the matter.
In a social media statement, Badenoch asserted that if the Chancellor violated the law, the Prime Minister must “demonstrate the resolve to act accordingly.”
The London property was listed for rent at £3,200 per month after Labour’s electoral success in July 2024.
The residence is located within an area where Southwark Council mandates that private landlords possess a “selective license.”
The council’s website stipulates: “Landlords or managing agents of properties requiring a license who fail to obtain one may face prosecution or fines.”
A spokesperson for Rachel Reeves stated: “Since assuming the role of Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has been renting out her family home through a lettings agency.
“She was unaware of the licensing requirement; however, upon being informed, she promptly took action and has submitted an application for the license.”
“This was an unintentional error, and in the interest of transparency, she has notified the Prime Minister, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.”
Badenoch stated on social media that Sir Keir “once proclaimed ‘lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers.’ If the Chancellor has indeed broken the law, as it appears, he must exhibit the fortitude to take appropriate action.”
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