This morning, when Property Industry Eye tracked down and revealed the name of the Dulwich letting agency caught up in the media storm surrounding Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ unlicensed rental property, Harvey & Wheeler declined to comment.
However, this evening a statement has been released by Gareth Martin, head of the firm which confirms that the firm failed to follow through on an offer to apply for the licence.
The statement effectively exonerates Reeves from blame.
“We alert all our clients to the need for a licence. In an effort to be helpful our previous property manager offered to apply for a licence on these clients’ behalf, as shown in the correspondence.
“That property manager suddenly resigned on the Friday before the tenancy began on the following Monday.
“Unfortunately, the lack of application was not picked up by us as we do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply.
“We have apologised to the owners for this oversight.
“At the time the tenancy began, all the relevant certificates were in place and if the licence had been applied for, we have no doubt it would have been granted.
“Our clients would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for. Although it is not our responsibility to apply, we did offer to help with this.
“We deeply regret the issue caused to our clients as they would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for.”
‘The property manager suddenly resigned on the Friday before the tenancy began on the Monday…’
Good grief, whatever next !
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…yes, I wondered about that, and am not sure. If they don’t normally apply, were they simply trying to curry favour? If so, is today’s statement more of the same? If they are being economical with the truth, I’m sure the truth will soon be revealed.
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Stinks !!! ‘ exchanges ‘ have taken place between someone on behalf of Reeves and the Letting Agents
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‘Whatever next?’ – Next: the Daily Mail pays the (ex)property man for his version.
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“ The statement effectively exonerates Reeves from blame.”. Really? And if this had happened to any other landlord after the commencement of the RRA, what do you think would have happened to that LL?
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This statement says it is the client’s responsibility to apply for the license but they said they would help [when they applied]. It doesn’t say they would appjy because it’s not their responsibility. The client did not apply and the agent was under no obligation to follow up on something they had no knowledge of. If the client had applied and then told the agent, I’m sure the agent would have ‘helped’ in some way. Reeves and her husband are still on the hook.
If Southwark do not fine the client, it will set a precedent for other landlords who ‘accidentally overlook’ their legal responsibility.
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I have made a request to Southwark for their policy on dealing with Landlords who rent without a License ( and how they’ve applied that to other landlords in their authority. )
Southwark ( who control Dulwich ) Must have know that the 2nd most senior politician in Government, Lived on their area, and that now ‘Occupied’ Number 11.
Southwark should have been expecting Double Council tax for Reeves empty home whilst she lives at number 11, or when they see Council Tax being paid by someone else, – investigate if its being rented without a License.
QUESTIONS to answer by Southwark ( Labour – controlled, just saying ! )
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All too much of a coincidence. Agency tried to take the blame but it is the fault of the previous property manager.
When push comes to shove, it is still the fault of the landlord.
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News just in….Ms Reeves has just been shown the door at Number 11. Her replacement…..Angela Rayner !!
(Joke)
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That may be truer than you think.
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As I understand it just like most other things the buck stops with the poor old landlord. In this case the landlord trusted getting the licence to an intermediary assuming it would be done but was ultimately negligent in not obtaining confirmation that it had actually been done. This is a high profile case with a high profile person in public life who should be squeaky clea setting an example.
She should attract the full penalty under law get fined £30,000 and be subject to a Rent Repayment Order dated back to the start of the unlicensed tenancy. (I am sure she can afford it) .Otherwise we have to assume that the law only applies to the little people. Two tier Kier strikes again!
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I am sure it won’t be long before ‘the Property Manager that resigned’ enlightens the Daily Mail as to the truth or otherwise of the agency’s statement. The Mail will pay well for such information.
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I look forward to that.
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Me too!
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